Denny Hamlin has recently faced a penalty from NASCAR for an L2-level infraction, prompting a series of questions about the situation. The driver of the #11 Toyota Camry, which he drove to victory at Bristol earlier this season, was found to have violated Sections 14.7.1.E&F and 14.7.1.1.B&E of the NASCAR Rule Book.
As a result, both Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing were stripped of 72 points and 10 playoff points, in addition to a significant $100,000 fine imposed on Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s crew chief.
With the Daytona race approaching, Hamlin was queried about whether this latest penalty ranks as one of the most unfortunate incidents in his racing career. He reflected on past misfortunes, including the Hail Melon maneuver at Martinsville in 2022, the Homestead setback in 2023, and the Talladega roof hatch incident from 2015.
This certainly takes the cake because it wasn’t just a single moment; it was more like, “Hey, we need to rewind and fill you in on what transpired some time ago.” But honestly, should I be shocked? I don’t think so. It’s tough to stay positive in the heat of the moment, and right now, I’m feeling a bit down—not about the decision itself, but about our season and what it might or might not lead to, Hamlin expressed [1:50].
Afterward, when asked if he understood why he faced such challenges, the seasoned NASCAR driver admitted he wished he had a clear explanation, describing those instances as “completely random.” However, he emphasized that it was up to him and his team to secure victories and perform at their highest level.
“I believe that if our results reflect our performance, we’ll still make it through, and everything will turn out fine. The only issue is that our sample size is about to shrink significantly, which leaves little room for error in a sport that can be unpredictable,” Hamlin noted.
Denny Hamlin on penalty as a driving force for motivation heading into Phoenix.
Even with 54 victories that place him tied for 12th on the all-time wins leaderboard, Denny Hamlin has yet to capture a Cup championship in his career. Following a recent penalty that has pushed him down the regular season rankings and tightened his playoff margins, Hamlin was questioned about whether this setback could ignite a stronger push toward Phoenix. He responded that the penalty wouldn’t significantly alter his usual mindset or drive. “I’m motivated every single week. I really am…to win every stage, win every race, and I feel like I put my best foot forward every single week. You can definitely draw some extra motivation from situations like this. I think the team feels it too; they’re motivated, and I’m certainly motivated,” Hamlin stated [3:20]. However, the #11 driver emphasized that he doesn’t rely on external motivation. What he truly needs are results, and he plans to focus on delivering the outcomes his team deserves.
