Hendrick's NASCAR Penalty

It's hard to understand what happened yesterday, 3/20. All penalties except for the $100,000 fine that were levied on Hendrick's Motorsports for the C-post infraction on the 48 car at Daytona were rescinded by final arbitrator John Middlebrook.

Apparently Middlebrook is a long time friend of Rick Hendrick. Did that matter? Why did a three member panel uphold all the penalties the week before?

NASCAR has never explained to the public what the problem with the C-post was. Apparently the car was pulled out of the inspection line before reaching the point where templates are applied.

This goes to the credibility of NASCAR. It has the appearance of a vendetta. It's been known for sometime that NASCAR has a distinct dislike for Chad Knaus, crew chief of the 48 car.

NASCAR needs to come forward and explain their problem with the C-post and explain how they determined it warranted the fines they issued. To this old, long time fan, this looks very murky.