Toyota Racing Development (TRD) has accepted full accountability for the significant L-2 penalty imposed on Denny Hamlin, which has dramatically impacted his season. The driver for Joe Gibbs Racing faced a deduction of 75 points in the regular season and 10 points in the playoffs, causing him to fall from third to sixth place in the Cup Series standings. Additionally, NASCAR has fined his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, $100,000.
According to NASCAR’s regulations, a race-winning engine must remain intact until it is inspected by NASCAR. However, official reports indicate that TRD “disassembled and rebuilt” Hamlin’s engine from his victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, marking his first win of the season.
David Wilson, the President of Toyota Racing Development, stated (as reported by journalist Bob Pockrass on X):
“As the engine builder for our partner NASCAR Cup Series teams, TRD is fully responsible for the management and condition of all our engines before and after races. Although we have established procedures, Denny’s race-winning engine from Bristol was inadvertently sent back to our Costa Mesa facility, where it was disassembled and rebuilt instead of being properly inspected by NASCAR as required by the rule book.”
Wilson expressed, “TRD acknowledges its full accountability for this serious error, and we sincerely apologize to Denny, Chris (Gabehart), Coach Gibbs, the entire JGR organization, NASCAR, and our fans.”
In addition to the point penalty imposed on Denny Hamlin and his crew, NASCAR declared that the victory at Bristol would not contribute to his playoff eligibility.
NASCAR insider criticizes TRD regarding Denny Hamlin’s penalty
Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace recently shared his thoughts on Denny Hamlin’s predicament in a YouTube video. Wallace pointed out that TRD was responsible for removing the seal and reconstructing the engine before NASCAR had the chance to inspect it.
“This was TRD’s mistake,” Kenny Wallace stated (3:22). “Why would they do this? It’s just absurd!”
“And that race was back in March…talk about a real kick in the gut, right?” Wallace added (5:53). “What’s amusing about this whole situation is that no race team actually builds their own engines…okay, maybe Richard Childress does…and then there’s DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.)…but it’s a mixed bag. Yet, TRD is the one to blame here,” he concluded.
Denny Hamlin finds himself at home with his children when he learns about the penalty, exclaiming, “Wait, what?” This is just part of the game, he remarked.
In a proactive move, Toyota Racing Development had already informed NASCAR about the situation. According to NASCAR, the penalty handed down to Hamlin and the No. 11 team was the least severe option available under the L-2 classification.
Even though NASCAR has nullified the playoff-eligibility of Denny Hamlin’s victory at Bristol, the 43-year-old driver remains secure in the playoffs, thanks to his earlier win at Richmond in March. Currently, he boasts 711 points, placing him just eight and 29 points ahead of his teammates Christopher Bell and Martin Truex Jr., respectively.
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