NASCAR: Johnson starts from back after violation

Jimmie Johnson started Sunday's championship finale from the back of the field after NASCAR officials deemed that the A-post on the No. 48 Lowe's Chevy had been manipulated and needed to be repaired.

NBC Sports reported they were told by NASCAR Vice President Steve O'Donnell that the 48 car was pulled off the grid after a visual inspection indicated modifications were made after the car had gone through pre-race tech. NASCAR announced Johnson would start from the back due to unapproved body modifications.

Pre-race inspection on all four Championship 4 cars was so stringent that all four went through tech several times.

Johnson was scheduled to start from the 14th spot alongside fellow contender Joey Logano. Teammates and title hopefuls Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards will start 9th and 10th.