Johnson apologizes for criticizing NASCAR

[April 07, 2011]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson says he was speeding on pit road at Martinsville and apologized for criticizing NASCAR over his penalty.

But the five-time defending champion still insisted Tuesday that NASCAR should post speeds in real time.

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton says the sanctioning body does not post the speeds in real time because officials fear it would turn pit road into a competition.

Pemberton also disputed Johnson's claim that he did not have access to his pit road speeds until a day after the race. Pemberton says that information is available to every team after each pit stop.

Johnson was flagged for speeding on the final restart of Sunday's race. He was second at the time of the penalty, but fell back to 11th and finished the race in that position.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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