Denny Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 team faces a critical stretch after NASCAR suspended two key pit crew members. The penalty stems from a lost right front wheel during the Bristol Night Race, a violation of NASCAR’s strict safety rules. Instead of serving the suspensions immediately, the team chose to defer them by a week, a strategic move designed to protect their playoff hopes as the Round of 12 begins. This decision adds intrigue to Hamlin’s chase for a championship.
Key Highlights
- NASCAR suspended two No. 11 pit crew members for a lost right front wheel at Bristol.
- Joe Gibbs Racing deferred the suspensions to the Kansas and Charlotte ROVAL races.
- Crew members affected are ‘Joel B’ Bouagnon and Austin Maloney.
- Denny Hamlin remains atop the playoff standings despite a 31st-place Bristol finish.
- Hamlin criticized Bristol for removing scoreboards that once helped drivers track positions.
Penalty and Strategic Deferral
NASCAR rules mandate suspensions when a car loses a wheel during competition, a measure aimed at preventing dangerous incidents. After the Bristol Night Race, officials penalized the No. 11 team, suspending over-the-wall crew members Joel B Bouagnon and Austin Maloney. However, NASCAR allows teams to delay such penalties by one week, giving organizations flexibility to plan for crucial events.
Joe Gibbs Racing exercised that option, meaning the suspensions will take effect for the upcoming races at Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. The decision reflects a calculated strategy, as Hamlin’s team looks to secure points and potentially a victory before losing key personnel.
Playoff Implications and Track Selection
The deferral aligns with the opening race of the Round of 12, a pivotal moment for championship contenders. Kansas offers one of Hamlin’s best opportunities to build a cushion, while the ROVAL historically presents challenges for him. By keeping the full crew intact for Kansas, the No. 11 team can maximize its performance on an oval track where Hamlin has been strong.
The team’s move also prevents any unnecessary appeal process, focusing instead on maximizing playoff momentum and ensuring the suspensions occur during less favorable conditions.
Denny Hamlin Reflects on Chaotic Bristol Night
Denny Hamlin’s weekend at Bristol brought more than just penalties. Despite finishing 31st, he advanced to the Round of 8 and maintained the top spot in the playoff standings. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin voiced frustration with the track’s lack of visible scoring aids, saying the absence of key information made an already demanding race more complicated.
“If they’re going to have these types for races back at Bristol, they need to re-insert the scoreboards that they took out there. They used to have them over in Turn 3 and Turn 1. We had scoreboards. Underneath that big old Jumbotron, there was a scroll ticker of LED boards. They took those out, too. I guess when things just fail or die, they take them out.” – Denny Hamlin
His remarks underline how critical real-time information can be when constant pit stops, caution flags, and tire wear disrupt a driver’s rhythm.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Delays Pit Crew Ban After Bristol Wheel Penalty
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team accepted NASCAR’s suspension of pit crew members Joel B Bouagnon and Austin Maloney after a lost wheel at Bristol. By deferring the penalty, the team ensures full strength for Kansas, a favorable track, before serving the suspensions during the Charlotte ROVAL race. Hamlin, despite a 31st-place finish, leads the playoff standings and advances to the Round of 8. He also criticized Bristol’s removal of in-race scoreboards, citing added difficulty in tracking positions.
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