Denny Hamlin has faced a significant setback, losing 75 points in the regular season and 10 points in the playoffs due to a breach of NASCAR’s inspection protocols. His crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has also been hit with a hefty fine of $100,000 for the unauthorized rebuilding of the engine. This incident falls under an L2-level penalty as outlined in NASCAR’s regulations.
The trouble began when Toyota Racing Development (TRD) voluntarily reported that they had disassembled Hamlin’s victorious engine from the Bristol Motor Speedway. As a result, NASCAR imposed the penalty, causing Hamlin to drop from third to sixth place in the 2024 Cup Series standings. Now, at 43 years old, he finds himself starting the last two regular-season races a daunting 103 points behind the current leader, Tyler Reddick.
According to NASCAR’s findings, the #11 team violated sections 14.7.1.E&F and 14.7.1.1.B&E of the rule book. Their press release stated:
“Every engine that wins a race must undergo inspection by NASCAR once the team deems its life cycle complete. In this case, before the engine was presented for inspection, Toyota Racing Development disassembled and rebuilt the No. 11’s engine that won at Bristol. This action constitutes an L2 penalty for both the race team and the driver. Toyota Racing Development self-reported this infraction.”
TRD President acknowledges accountability for the “unintended” reconstruction of Denny Hamlin’s #11 Toyota.
Denny Hamlin, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, has been a strong contender for the 2024 Cup Series championship. However, his journey toward securing his first title has taken a significant hit due to a recent penalty.
Following an engine inspection violation in NASCAR, TRD President David Wilson addressed the situation regarding the rebuilding and disassembly of Hamlin’s race-winning engine from Bristol. In a press release shared by Bob Pockrass, Wilson stated:
“As the engine builder for our partner NASCAR Cup Series teams, TRD holds full responsibility for the management and condition of all our engines before and after races. … While we are completely confident that the engine was compliant and would have passed inspection, we inadvertently placed NASCAR in a difficult situation by not allowing them the chance to conduct a thorough inspection of our engine.”
We have conducted a comprehensive review of our operational procedures and have implemented a series of new measures aimed at preventing a recurrence of this issue in the future. TRD (Toyota Racing Development) fully acknowledges its responsibility for this serious error, and we would like to extend our sincerest apologies to Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart, Coach Gibbs, the entire Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) organization, NASCAR, and our dedicated fans, as stated by Wilson.
In light of recent events, Denny Hamlin has had his first Cup victory of the season rescinded, leaving him with a total of two wins so far. While he has already secured his position in the playoffs, this penalty could significantly impact his chances of clinching the regular season championship, a title that is highly coveted among drivers.
Despite this setback, Hamlin still has an opportunity to stage a comeback in the final two races of the Cup Series regular season. The #11 team is set to compete next at the Coke Zero Sugar 400, which will take place at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. This race presents a critical opportunity for Hamlin to regain momentum and improve his standing as he heads into the playoffs, where every point and position will be crucial in the pursuit of the championship title. The team is focused and determined to make the most of this upcoming race, aiming to showcase their resilience and skill on the track.
