The No. 22 was driven by AJ Allmendinger in the first 17 Sprint Cup races of the season, before he was suspended for failing a random drug test. Sam Hornish took over for the remainder of the season.

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• Penske Promotes Gordon To Crew Chief Of No. 22 Team

Stewart’s qualifying time was disallowed after posting the second-fastest time in qualifying and he started the race in 42nd position.

NASCAR found the team to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book); and 20-2.1J (unapproved open vent hose inside of the car).

Crew chief Steve Addington was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 22nd. Car chief Jeff Meendering was also placed on probation until the 22nd.

Drive Tony Stewart and car owner Margaret Haas have each been penalized with the loss of six driver and owner championship points, respectively.

SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli said:

While we respect and accept NASCAR’s decision, we want to be clear that there was no malicious intent. In a rush to replace a cracked rear windshield that happened during tech inspection prior to qualifying, we jostled a cooling hose that was behind the seat. We understand NASCAR’s position and will abide by its decision.

Zippadelli will join SHR as competition director. There was speculation during the season that Zipadelli would join SHR as Stewart’s crew chief, as the two won two Sprint Cup championships together. But, following the firing of Darian Grubb, Stewart chose Steve Addington to sit atop the pit box. Grubb joined JGR as crew chief for Denny Hamlin, with Mike Ford getting released.

JGR confirmed Zipadelli’s release. No word on who will replace him as crew chief for the No. 20 car.

Update: In another tweet, Utter reported that Jason Ratcliff will serve as crew chief for the No. 20 team. Ratcliff climbed the ranks in the Nationwide Series, working at Sadler Racing and Brewco Motorsports before joining JGR in 2005 as crew chief for JJ Yeley. He then went on to serve as crew chief for Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, winning the 2009 Nationwide Series championship with Busch.

Update 2: JGR issued a press release indicating the moves.

Team owner Roger Penske said:

Our first priority is always to look within the walls of Penske Racing when making personnel decisions. We want to reward success. The path we are taking with Todd mirrors what we did with Paul Wolfe who led the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge to a Chase berth in 2011. We think Todd can get the job done in the same manner.

Gordon said:

I can’t thank Roger and everyone at Penske Racing enough for this vote of confidence. It’s an honor to step into a race-winning team. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but this is an organization full of talented people that know how to get the job done. I look forward to getting the Shell/Pennzoil Dodge back in Victory Lane.

Gordon replaces Steve Addington, who left the team at the end of the season to join Stewart Haas Racing as crew chief for Tony Stewart, after SHR let go of Darian Grubb. Grubb has since moved on to Joe Gibbs Racing.

Penske is still seeking a driver for the No. 22 team, as Kurt Busch and Penske mutually agreed to part ways, after a series of high-profile outbursts, including a video in which Busch berated respected media member Dr. Jerry Punch.

Candidates are said to include Sam Hornish, David Reutimann, David Ragan, and Brian Vickers.

Team owner Joe Gibbs said:

Darian is a great addition to our organization and person to lead our No. 11 FedEx team. Obviously he has proven the ability to guide a team to a championship and we are excited to have him working with Denny toward achieving that goal here at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Grubb said:

I’m thrilled to join Joe Gibbs Racing. The chance to work with Denny is something I’m excited about. When you sit down with Joe and [president] J.D. Gibbs, you can’t help but be excited about this opportunity and the team aspects of JGR. There is no question about the level of support you get here and I’m looking forward to working with everyone across the entire organization.

Grubb was told halfway through the Chase that he would be fired from Stewart Haas Racing at season’s end. Following that discussion, Stewart went on a tear, winning the championship as the result of a tie-breaker with Carl Edwards. SHR released Grubb, as they said they would. Steve Addington replaced Grubb at SHR as crew chief for Tony Stewart.

Following his release, the Associated Press reported that Mike Ford had been let go as crew chief for Hamlin, citing Hamlin’s struggles this season, and the release of Grubb as factors.

After his release, Ford said:

I’m kind of relieved. It had been dragging on for so long, I’m actually relieved there’s finally a resolution.

Team owner Joe Gibbs issues a statement:

Everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing appreciates what Mike has done for our organization over the past six seasons as crew chief with our No. 11 team. We’ve decided it was best to make a change with the team now to allow Mike the opportunity to pursue other opportunities.

Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup champion, has been with Penske since 2006, and has been at the Cup level for 11 years. He has posted 24 wins in his Cup career, 1o of them with Penske.

But Busch has received extra attention this season after confrontations with media members and highly publicized in-race meltdowns directed towards his team and crew chief.

Following his transmission problems at the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Busch was caught on camera making an obscene gesture. He was later shown berating ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch in a video that went viral on YouTube. NASCAR fined Busch $50,000 for his actions. He apologized.

Both Penske and Shell Pennzoil, Busch’s sponsor, released statements condemning the behavior.

Penske issued its statement shortly after the video went viral. The organization said:

These actions do not represent Penske Racing and are inconsistent with the company’s standards for behavior, respect for others and professionalism. This matter is being reviewed internally with no further comment at this time.

Shell and Pennzoil echoed those sentiments in their statement:

Shell and Pennzoil are disappointed with recent actions by driver, Kurt Busch, at the final race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race season. His actions are in no way consistent with the way we want our brands represented and we have expressed our disappointment and concerns directly to Penske Racing.

In addition to his actions at Homestead, Busch has received a lot of negative attention for his tirades over the radio during races. Busch had a rocky relationship with his crew chief of the last two years, Steve Addington. The pair won four races in two seasons, but Addington chose to leave the team at the end of the season. While there is nothing official to indicate that Addington left due to the way that Busch treated him, it is hard to imagine that it did not play a role.

In his time at Penske, Busch had been with four different crew chiefs.

Rumor has it that David Ragan is the leading candidate for the job. Ragan is coming off of one of his best Sprint Cup seasons, having earned his first career victory at Daytona International Speedway, and being close to winning the Daytona 500. David Reutimann and Brian Vickers, and Sam Hornish, who has driven for Penske before, may also be considered for the ride, if the report is true.

At this time, there has been no official word, so assume this a rumor.

Update: The Associated Press is reporting that Busch and Penske have agreed to part ways. This is the second time in his career, Busch has been released from a major team for his behavior. Busch was released from Roush Fenway Racing following an incident with Arizona police.

Update 2: Penske officially announced the separation. Penske owner Roger Penske said:

I appreciate the victories that Kurt has brought Penske Racing and our sponsors over the past six years. While I am disappointed that Kurt will not be racing for our team in the future, both Kurt and I felt that separating at this time was best for all parties, including our team and sponsors. I wish Kurt the best in his future racing endeavors.

Busch added:

I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years. Together we won a lot of races -16 in all. Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it’s an important step for me and allows me to take a deep breath to work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person. I want to personally thank Roger Penske for the opportunity that he has given me.

Addington informed Penske Racing that he would not return to the team as crew chief for Kurt Busch and the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge next season.

Stewart said of Grubb, who has been with SHR and Stewart since the team’s inception:

Darian was a very important part of the success we’ve had at Stewart-Haas Racing. I’m very proud of everything he helped accomplish, especially this year when we all rallied to win the championship. He’s a great person and I know he’ll continue to be successful in this sport.

The move is somewhat surprising, considering that SHR informed Grubb of the decision to let him go after he helped Stewart win the first two Chase races. Even more surprising is that SHR went through with the move considering that since he was informed of his impending firing, he helped Stewart win three more races and the title.

Ironically, Grubb led Stewart to five Chase victories and his third Sprint Cup title, despite being let go. It is hard to believe that Grubb will be unemployed for long.

Addington joined Penske before the start of the 2010 season after spending two seasons as crew chief for Kurt’s younger brother, Kyle, at Joe Gibbs Racing.

With Kurt Busch, Addington won four races in two seasons, but the relationship was rocky, with Busch’s radio rants garnering much media attention.

The elder Busch may have to reevaluate his behavior and attitude if he wants to attract a quality crew chief, as his relationships with Addington and his previous crew chief Pat Tryson have both been rocky. Any candidates are bound to know this and it will surely affect their decision.

A spokesman from Penske would not comment on whether or not Addington would return, nor would Addington address the situation.

If the report is true, this would be Busch’s fourth crew chief since joining Penske in 2006. When Busch joined the team, Roy McCauley was his crew chief. But, he left the team in April of 2007 to tend to his ailing wife.

Troy Raker, an engineer with Penske, took over crew chief duties on an interim basis, beginning at Texas Motor Speedway. Nine races later, in June, Pat Tryson, who had been released as Greg Biffle’s crew chief, took over as crew chief duties for Busch while Raker returned to the engineering department.

Tryson served as Busch’s crew chief until then end of the 2009 season, when he left the team. Steve Addington, who had been released by Joe Gibbs Racing as Kurt’s brother Kyle’s crew chief, signed on to replace Tryson.

It is no secret that Kurt Busch has a temper and can be difficult to work with under certain circumstances. There is no word as to whether Busch’s well-documented outburts under Addington had anything to do with the decision not to bring him back next year. But, it stands to reason based on the radio communication that the two have a difficult working relationship.

What is most interesting about this story is that Busch currently sits sixth in points, 16 points behind leader Carl Edwards, and he is still in the title hunt. This news is sure to be a distraction to the team, and it could derail any chance Busch has at a title. So, it begs the question, “Why now?”

Addington said:

I am really looking forward to working with Penske Racing, Kurt Busch and the Miller Lite Dodge team. This a championship-caliber team with a great driver, and with the resources and experience at Penske Racing, we have the opportunity to add to the team’s success starting next season.

Pat Tryson, who together with the elder Busch finished fourth in the championship standings this season, left PCR to join Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 56 team, and driver Martin Truex Jr. So, PCR began looking for his replacement. 

Team owner Roger Penske said:

Steve Addington has a proven track record of success in NASCAR, and we are excited to welcome him to Penske Racing. By adding Steve to the winning Miller Lite team and working closely with Kurt, we believe we have the combination in place to compete for a championship as we head into the 2010 season.

In Addington’s first season with Kyle Busch, the duo won eight races and posted 17 top 5s, and 21 top 10s. Busch also led the points for 21 of the first 26 races, and he led the points for the 17 races leading up to the Chase. But, once in the Chase, a series of mechanical failures and bad finishes caused him to finish the season 10th in the standings.

This year, many expected him to dominate, much like he did last season. He did win four races, but that was only half of his win total the previous season. He missed the Chase by eight points, and the decision was made to separate Busch and Addington. Shortly thereafter, Addington left JGR.

Addington looks to help the No. 2 team build off of its strong 2009 campaign. Busch won two races, and posted 10 top 5s, and 21 top 10s.

Kurt Busch said:

We’re coming off a strong season, but I know we can be even better in 2010. With Steve on board, I am confident we can build on the momentum from 2009 and compete for wins and the series title in the Miller Lite Dodge.