It’s uncommon for the meticulous Denny Hamlin to find himself on the receiving end of penalties, but this time he did. NASCAR handed out a significant penalty to Hamlin and his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, after they were found to have tampered with the engine of Hamlin’s winning car from the Bristol Motor Speedway race in March 2024.
The penalty imposed was severe: Hamlin lost 75 points and 10 playoff points, Gabehart was fined $100,000, and Hamlin’s race-winning engine was confiscated. NASCAR alleged that Toyota had rebuilt the engine before it could be inspected by NASCAR officials.
Despite this setback, Hamlin’s chances of making it to the playoffs remain intact due to his three victories this season. However, the penalty could jeopardize his pursuit of the championship he has been striving for. This is especially disheartening given the timing of the penalty, which could severely impact his performance during a critical phase of the season. Hamlin’s championship aspirations have faced challenges before.
In the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Hamlin encountered a similar situation during the round of 8. He had a contentious run-in with Joey Logano at Martinsville Speedway. Logano’s aggressive driving led to a collision with Hamlin, causing him to spin out and lose crucial positions. This late-race incident proved detrimental to Hamlin’s championship bid, resulting in his elimination from contention.
Fans are left wondering if this latest penalty will have a similar effect on Hamlin’s championship hopes. Can he overcome this obstacle and secure the title this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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