NASCAR has handed down a critical penalty to Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team after a dramatic wheel loss during Saturday night’s Bristol race. The sanction removes two key crew members for the next two Cup Series events, forcing Joe Gibbs Racing to reshuffle as the playoffs intensify. Despite clinching a Round of 12 berth with his Gateway win, Hamlin must navigate New Hampshire and Kansas without his full pit crew, adding intrigue to an already intense championship push.
Key Highlights
NASCAR suspended two crew members of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team after a wheel loss at Bristol.
Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon will miss the next two races at New Hampshire and Kansas.
Hamlin explained the incident on his Actions Detrimental podcast, calling it “super unfortunate.”
The wheel failure caused Hamlin to finish 31st, but he remains atop the playoff standings.
Fans voiced strong opinions, blaming the single-lug system and questioning consistency in penalties.
NASCAR’s Decision and Its Impact
NASCAR announced on Tuesday that crew members Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon will serve two-race suspensions after the Bristol mishap. The ruling aligns with NASCAR’s established policy on lost wheels, a safety measure that has resulted in similar penalties across the season.
Both will return for the Oct. 5 Charlotte Roval event, the final race of the Round of 12. Losing key crew members during the playoffs presents a challenge, but Hamlin’s team remains in a favorable position atop the standings.
Denny Hamlin’s View from the Driver’s Seat
Hamlin addressed the issue on his Actions Detrimental podcast, offering his perspective on the unexpected failure.
“It’s super unfortunate because we were the only guys on pit road during that time. There was no indication, no heads up or anything. If it was loose leading the pit stall, but I’m not sure. I don’t have an answer of how or why, but more than likely.” – Denny Hamlin
The 44-year-old detailed the tense moments when he realized something had gone wrong.
“All I know is I went into Turn 3, I felt something kind of weird off of Turn 2 where I felt like I turned the wheel, and the thing was hanging. I was like, ‘What the hell? Am I having another major tight moment?’ …It was only a couple of laps into that run. I just went in Turn 3, the car went straight, wiped out AJ [Allmendinger]. I don’t know who else got in it, but then I was riding on three tires.” – Denny Hamlin
Despite finishing 31st, Hamlin’s earlier Gateway victory secured his advancement, giving him breathing room as his team absorbs the penalty.
A Strong Season Amid Adversity
Hamlin leads all Cup Series drivers with five victories this year and sits 26 points above the playoff cut line. The lost wheel was a rare setback in an otherwise dominant season. While the absence of Maloney and Bouagnon will test Joe Gibbs Racing’s depth, the team’s championship outlook remains bright. Hamlin continues to chase his first career Cup Series title, and his consistency makes him a strong contender despite the short-term disruption.
Fan Reaction to the Single-Lug Debate
The incident reignited debate among fans over NASCAR’s single-lug wheel system introduced with the Next Gen car. Social media quickly filled with pointed commentary.
“This could be avoided if the Cup Cars had 5 lug nuts instead of 1?” – Fan comment
“BULLSHIT Should be 5 LUGS regardless of the BLATANT conspiring against the 11 team!!! GROSS!” – Fan comment
“Didn’t they say Larson was caught speeding entering pit road?” – Fan comment
Many believe the single-center lug leaves less margin for error, while others question how penalties are applied across teams. NASCAR has maintained that the system is safer and more efficient, though incidents like Bristol ensure the conversation remains lively.
News in Brief: NASCAR Fans Cry Foul After Denny Hamlin Hit with Crew Suspension
NASCAR suspended Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team after the car lost a wheel at Bristol, forcing them to miss the next two Cup Series races at New Hampshire and Kansas. Hamlin explained the incident on his podcast, describing how the wheel failure caused a collision and a 31st-place finish. Fans criticized NASCAR’s single-lug design and debated consistency in penalties. Hamlin, already locked into the Round of 12, remains atop the playoff standings. Follow NASCAR’s playoff battles and key penalties as the championship fight reaches its peak.
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