Knaus suspended through Atlanta

NASCAR on Tuesday suspended crew chief Chad Knaus for the next three Nextel Cup races for modifying the rear window of Jimmie Johnson's car before qualifying for the Daytona 500.

Knaus, who was ejected from the 500 for the infraction, will miss this week's race at California, the March 12 race at Las Vegas and the March 19 race at Atlanta.

He also was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Johnson, who won the Daytona 500 with lead engineer Darian Grubb filling in for Knaus, said he and the team were prepared for a four-race suspension based on past history.

NASCAR gave Todd Berrier, the crew chief for Kevin Harvick, a four-race suspension last season for rigging the gas tank during qualifying. Knaus will have missed four races when he returns for the March 26 race at Bristol.

Without saying four races would be unfair, Johnson reminded Knaus already has missed the biggest race of the season.

"From my standpoint, we've been through a lot already for a qualifying infraction,'' he said.