Gordon and Johnson were docked 100 points each, and crew chiefs Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus were both fined $100,000 and suspended for six races because their cars failed an initial inspection at Infineon Raceway.

"The penalties are excessive," team owner Rick Hendrick said today. "But we're not going to put time and resources into issuing an appeal. Instead, we will direct that energy into our internal processes to make sure we have full confidence that our cars will meet standards when presented for inspection each week."

Jeff Meendering, car chief for Gordon's No. 24 team, will serve as interim crew chief during Letarte's suspension beginning at New Hampshire International Speedway this weekend. Car chief Ron Malec of Johnson's No. 48 team will stand in for Knaus.

"In Jeff and Ron, we have two guys who know their teams inside and out," Hendrick said. "They both have been here a long time. They both know the pressures involved and they both have the full support of our entire organization. We don't expect to miss a beat."