JOLIET, Ill. -- ??? Jimmie Johnson had a strong car. He was in position for a fast start to the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs.Then he committed another costly mistake.Johnson led Sundays playoff opener four times for a race-high 118 laps and was running second before he was handed a pass-through penalty for speeding on his way off pit road. The infraction on Lap 234 of 270 sent Johnson tumbling down the leaderboard, leading to a 12th-place finish.Johnsons car also failed a post-race inspection, likely costing him some valuable points for the Chase standings.Johnson, who turned 41 on Saturday, is going for his seventh series title, which would tie the record for NASCARs top circuit held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He was encouraged by the speed of his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet during the 400-mile race at Chicagoland Speedway, but the miscue on pit road left him shaking his head.This week we had it. This week we had it for sure, Johnson said. Just the mistake there at the end on that last segment on pit road.Johnson was coming off a rough night at Richmond, when he had a tire go down, hit the wall and finished 11th. He has just two wins this year for his smallest total since he also won twice during the 2011 season.But Johnson, who has never won at Chicagoland and hasnt made it out of the second round in the two years of the Chases elimination format, had the fastest car in Fridays practice at the 1.5-mile asphalt oval. He started eighth after qualifying was rained out and passed Brad Keselowski to grab the lead for the first time on Lap 53.Johnson controlled most of the middle of the race before Chase Elliott took over the top spot. But Johnson appeared to be in good shape before the penalty on pit road, drawing a no way! from the driver on his radio when he was told of the punishment.I mean I was completely shocked that I was fast, because Im way under, just being cautious, he said after the race. Still got dinged leaving that last segment. I mean I couldnt believe it. Just mind-boggling.Johnson was eighth in the playoff standings after Chicagoland, pending NASCARs announcement of the exact penalty for failing the inspection. The field for the 10-race Chase is cut from 16 to 12 in two weeks.Its not as bad as I expected, Johnson said when asked about the Chase standings. But just got to stop screwing up.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Wholesale Cleveland Browns Jerseys . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Devaroe Lawrence Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. http://www.cheapbrownsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-damion-ratley-jersey . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Seth DeValve Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Ray-Ray Armstrong Jersey . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Jajuan Johnson had 21 points, Luke Fischer scored 18 and Marquette spoiled Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drews debut with a 95-71 victory in the opening game of the Veterans Classic at the Navy Academy on Friday night.Haanif Cheatham added 15 points and Sam Hauser finished with 14 points for the Golden Eagles, who shot 39 of 74 (53 percent) from the field.I think one of the strengths of our team is our depth, Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski said. We were able to play 11 guys in tonights game. I thought in the second half we were able to wear them down. That was terrific.A 3-pointer by Cheatham capped a 23-4 run and Marquette led 62-44 with10:56 remaining in the game. Vanderbilt struggled to make shots and a jumper by Matthew Fisher-Davis, who had 12 points, ended a more than five-minute scoring drought.The Golden Eagles controlled the run of play the rest of the way. A steal and dunk by Johnson provided a 72-48 lead and set off a celebration on Marquettes bench.I always play to the passing lanes and get to my spot on defense, Johnson said.Drew formerly coached at his alma mater Valparaiso, where he led the program to two NCAA tournaments in five years. However, his new team struggled against the Golden Eagles, who made 13 3-pointers.I thought the first half we did some nice things on the defensive end, Drew said. The second half they came out, hit the two quick 3s on us. We never seemed to get into a rhythm or much momentum after that.The Commodores got their only lead of the game, 40-39, on a baseline jumper by Noah Cressler with 25 seconds left in the half.Luke Kornet led Vanderbilt with 15 points.What it always comes down to is being aggressive and making plays, Kornet said. I think, especially in the second half, we got away from that. We havee to grow from this and get better.dddddddddddd.BIG PICTUREVanderbilt: Kevin Stallings, who left to take the job at Pittsburgh, was the winningest coach in Commodores history. So, Drew will face some pressure to be competitive in his first season. The 7-foot-1 Kornet is already showing he can be a force at both ends of the court.Marquette: The Golden Eagles must fill the void for the loss of Henry Ellenson, one of the programs most highly touted recruits who left after one season for the NBA. Coach Steve Wojciechowski has deep, quick lineup that overwhelmed Vanderbilt.TURNING POINTWojciechowski said he fully expected his team to carry a lead into the half. Instead they trailed by two points. The Golden Eagles simply turned up the pressure and went on a decisive run to put the game away. They hit 3s and we kept them at the free-throw line, Wojciechowski said. Otherwise, I think we would have went into halftime winning.A UNIQUE EXPERIENCEThe teams in the Veterans Classic not only get to play competitive basketball, the players also get a first-hand look at life at the Naval Academy campus and meet with the Midshipmen.This has been an amazing experience, more than anyone could have expected, Marquettes Luke Fischer said. The hospitality has been phenomenal. The things we got to do and see is really something we can treasure for a long time.UP NEXTVanderbilt: The Commodores face a tough test in their h