Denny Hamlin has acknowledged playing a direct role in Joe Gibbs Racing‘s (JGR) decision to postpone suspending two key pit-crew members in the aftermath of a race incident at Bristol. Addressing the Denny Hamlin crew suspension plan, Hamlin explained that retaining the pit crew for the upcoming event at New Hampshire was a strategic move aimed at minimizing the impact on his team’s track position for Sunday’s race on September 21.
The two crew members in question, front tire changer Austin Maloney and jackman Joel Bouagnon, were penalized by JGR following a safety infraction when Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota lost a right-front wheel during lap 384 at Bristol. Not only did this result in a two-lap penalty, but it also caused Hamlin to finish in 31st place, five laps down. NASCAR responded by issuing a two-race suspension to Maloney and Bouagnon, but JGR chose to defer this penalty by utilizing a rule that permits a one-week postponement for non-behavioral violations.
Why New Hampshire Was Treated Differently by Hamlin and Team
Hamlin elaborated on the reasoning behind this approach and clarified during an interview with Bob Pockrass why the team felt it necessary to keep their regular crew at New Hampshire rather than starting the suspension immediately.
“I think it was an obvious decision simply because you know pit stops are not as crucial at the Roval as what is it what they would be here or Kansas here because of track position. You’re going to get a much larger field spread at Roval. You’re typically going to pit under green there so a stop that’s a second slower is not going to be as detrimental. So it just makes sense with the rules that were given to defer one week.”
– Denny Hamlin, driver.
The driver’s confidence in the crew’s abilities remained evident, despite the looming suspension. He spoke about facing the coming challenge with a new pit crew lineup in subsequent races but maintained an optimistic outlook on the team’s potential to adapt.
“Certainly not having the same guys that we’ve always had will have some sort of an impact but I mean you know you never know it could be just as good,”
he added. – Denny Hamlin, driver.
Current Standings and Recent Results for Hamlin and the No.11 Team
Hamlin’s fortunes at Bristol have not dampened his status as one of this season‘s leading contenders in the NASCAR Cup Series. Despite the setback, he continues to lead the Cup drivers in both points and wins—holding a 26-point margin above the cutoff line ahead of the upcoming Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire. The decision to defer suspensions was motivated by a determination to protect critical track position at the New Hampshire race, which is seen as less forgiving in terms of pit crew variability compared to later playoff venues like Kansas and the Charlotte Roval.
Track dynamics played a key role in Hamlin’s strategy. The 1.06-mile oval at New Hampshire, known as the ‘Magic Mile,’ has been historically favorable for Hamlin, who holds the best average finish (9.9) among current Cup Series drivers in 31 career starts at this venue. For the first race in the Round of 12, Hamlin posted a qualifying lap time of 29.409 seconds, earning him the ninth starting spot. His record at New Hampshire includes three Cup Series wins, though his last victory there dates back to 2017—the last time the track held a playoff race for the series.
Hamlin’s Approach to Racing at the ‘Magic Mile’
Looking forward to the next challenge, Hamlin discussed why racing in New Hampshire holds unique appeal and high expectations within the circuit with a nod to the course’s reputation for delivering intense competition.
“It’s a track that I really look forward to going to. We only get to go there once, but the racing is unmatched,”
Denny Hamlin said (via NHMS.com). – Denny Hamlin, driver.
While the suspension plan and personnel changes could test JGR’s adaptability in the Round of 12 races at Kansas and Charlotte Roval, the team’s decision underlines the importance of maximizing every competitive advantage during the championship battle.
As the 2024 NASCAR season progresses, Denny Hamlin and his team find themselves balancing compliance with penalties and strategic decisions that could shape his campaign for the Cup. The upcoming races will indicate whether the calculated delay in suspending Maloney and Bouagnon pays off, or if the team will encounter further challenges as the playoffs intensify.
Denny Hamlin said he was part of the decision to defer the two-race suspensions (loose wheel Bristol) of his jackman and front changer for a week and have them miss Kansas and the Charlotte road course rather than Loudon and Kansas. Hamlin explains the reasoning and the impact: pic.twitter.com/B1HtbCkC5H
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 21, 2025