“I felt that having some one up there that thinks and works like Chad when we are trying to talk to Chad at home in the evenings, someone that Chad can relate to and has been working with. That is going to help us out the most to have that right person in there, someone who is a 48 guy. Darian Grubb is that perfect match. He has been our engineer for the race team who has been on the box. He was going to be on the box all year next to Chad but now is he going to be solo on the box for the next few races. We feel we are taking every steps necessary to have a smooth experience with Chad gone.”
Q
DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS, YOU ARE BEING OVERLY SCRUTINISED?
JIMMIE JOHNSON
“No, it is what it is. We had something called against us, we crossed over the line and the decision has been made. I can't sit here and tell you we weren't trying to push the grey area, we got in trouble. It is obvious. We know that there are ramifications that come with it. All I can do is get out on the track and represent Lowe's and my team, do the best job as I can and try to move on. That is the position we are in.”
Q
WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS? HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PUSHING OF THE LIMITS? WHERE IS CHAD NOW?
JIMMIE JOHNSON
“I had lunch with him (Chad Knaus) yesterday; we worked on our game plan. He is in Charlotte going crazy right now I am sure on the phone and emailing and the different things he is allowed to do. I didn't find out until after the Bud Shootout. I walked in the transporter and was changing into my street clothes to leave.
“Chad walked in. We had run well, finished fifth, led a little bit so I expected a big smile on his face. But I looked at him and saw a frown. I thought there was something wrong with our Shootout car. Then I found out exactly what it was. At that time, we didn't know what the penalty would be, so I went on home and found out later that evening what the penalty was going to be.
“We will learn a lot in the practice session today, we are learning as we go here. This is an entirely new experience for us. This first practice is important. I know there are a lot of templates, I know that they have their gauge, I don't even know how far off it was I don't know any of the details. I just get in the car. That is what the drivers do; we just get in the car and go. I sleep well at night knowing that Chad Knaus is working his butt off to find me an advantage.
![Jimmie Johnson addresses the media in Las Vegas. [Pic Credit Todd Warshaw/Getty Images]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/192828.jpg)
