Gordon, Johnson penalized for car infractions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were docked 100 points each Tuesday, and their crew chiefs were both fined $100,000 and suspended for six races for violations at Infineon Raceway.

The two Hendrick Motorsports cars failed inspection Friday in Sonoma, Calif., and NASCAR refused to let either driver on the track the rest of the day. The cars were altered, passed inspection Saturday and allowed to race Sunday. Gordon, the four-time series champion, finished seventh while defending Nextel Cup champion Johnson was 17th.

Gordon remains the Nextel Cup points leader after the deduction, but his margin was cut to 171 points over Denny Hamlin. Johnson dropped from third to fifth.

But both will have to race through the summer without their crew chiefs. Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte are not eligible to return to the track until Aug. 15.

The crew chiefs also were placed on probation through the end of the year.