Following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, NASCAR issued a significant penalty against Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and his #11 team. This penalty arose after Hamlin encountered mechanical issues late in the race and impacted his overall performance, highlighting the competitive pressures of the NASCAR playoff season.
During qualifying, Hamlin secured a strong starting position, ranking sixth on the grid with a fast lap of 15.19 seconds and a top speed exceeding 126 mph. Pole position was claimed by AJ Allmendinger, who edged Hamlin by just 0.07 seconds. Despite this promising start, Hamlin faced challenges on race day, falling back to eleventh place by the end of Stage 1.
Hamlin managed to regain a spot and finished Stage 2 in tenth, but trouble struck in the final segment of the race. On lap 384, Hamlin’s car made contact with Allmendinger’s, the pole sitter, resulting in his front right wheel coming loose. This incident led NASCAR to impose sanctions not directly on Hamlin, but on his crew, specifically suspending two members responsible for the pit stop work: front tire changer Austin Maloney and jackman Joel-Alexandre Bouagnon.
Though the penalty initially appeared to include a two-lap penalty for Hamlin himself, Joe Gibbs Racing successfully deferred the crew suspensions for a week, allowing both Maloney and Bouagnon to remain part of Hamlin’s team at the upcoming race in New Hampshire.
“Joe Gibbs Racing has deferred the penalty a week, allowing both to be on Hamlin’s crew Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports stated (via NBC.com).
The two crew members will be required to miss the races at Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Roval but are expected back for the first race of the next playoff phase, the Mobil 1 301 on September 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This timing provides Hamlin with key support during a crucial stage of the NASCAR playoffs.
Denny Hamlin’s Perspective on the Penalty at Bristol
After completing the Bristol race, Hamlin addressed the penalty during an episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, sharing his viewpoint on the situation with calm resolve. He explained that while the crew’s suspension is impactful, it is ultimately outside his direct control, so his focus remains on aspects he can influence during upcoming races.
Calling the incident “unfortunate,” Hamlin emphasized his determination to prioritize the things he can manage rather than dwell on personnel changes handled by his crew chief. He stated:
“I have no idea who’s sitting on the bench or who’s ready, and it’s not even my concern…cuz that’s the crew chief. He manages the people. Um, there’s nothing I can do about it. You know what I mean? My concern needs to be on the things that I can control.”
Although Hamlin concluded the Bristol race in 31st position, his team, Joe Gibbs Racing, demonstrated strong form throughout the first round of the playoffs, securing victories in all three opening contests. This consistency underscores the strength of the team despite setbacks such as the Bristol penalty.
Impact and Next Steps for Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing
The penalty serves as a reminder of the fine margins and stringent regulations teams face in NASCAR’s playoff environment. Losing key crew members for critical races could pose challenges for Hamlin, especially as the playoffs grow more intense. Nonetheless, the delayed enforcement grants Hamlin valuable assistance at New Hampshire, supporting his quest for playoff advancement.
With Hamlin focusing on controllable factors, the team remains committed to adjusting and overcoming obstacles in the remaining races of the Round of 12. As the Mobil 1 301 approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing navigate these challenges while competing for a spot in the championship round.
