This week, NASCAR has implemented the start of Denny Hamlin crew suspensions, with two key Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 team members stepping aside for two weeks, following a lost wheel incident at Bristol Motor Speedway. These changes take effect as NASCAR rules demand, affecting the team’s roster ahead of their next race at Kansas Speedway.
Wheel Loss Triggers Penalties for Hamlin’s Team
The incident occurred during the most recent race at Bristol Motor Speedway when a wheel became detached from the No. 11 car driven by Denny Hamlin. In accordance with NASCAR policy, this safety infraction led to immediate action: the team was penalized during the race with a two-lap deduction and faced further consequences afterward. Losing a wheel on track is considered a serious offence, specifically addressed by league regulations to ensure the safety of drivers and crew alike.
The two crew members affected are jack man Joel B. Bouagnon and front tire changer Austin Maloney. Both will be absent for the next two weeks, replaced temporarily by Nate McBride and Thomas Hatcher of Front Row Motorsports’ No. 4 crew. These replacements are possible due to a working arrangement where Joe Gibbs Racing rents crew members from other teams within the series, allowing Hamlin’s team to remain operational while suspensions are served.
NASCAR’s Deferral Process Explained
The two-week suspensions did not commence immediately after Bristol, due to a one-week deferral as outlined by NASCAR procedures. Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, spoke about these rules Tuesday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Driver with Pete Pistone and Mike Bagley.
“There’s no points and there’s no money attached to the loss of a wheel the 11 car had at Bristol,”
said Sawyer, vice president of competition.
Sawyer addressed how in previous years, teams would often file appeals after such penalties not necessarily to fight the penalty, but to manage their lineup strategically. These appeals would frequently be withdrawn after the next race, simply providing the team more time to reorganize and prepare for an important event or to secure adequate understudies.
“So back, two or three years ago, what would happen there, they would put in for an appeal so we would start that process on our side. We would be looking at panel members. They would be preparing all their information to bring into the board room to present their case. And then, once we got through the weekend, they would then pull the appeal request and we would go back to business as usual, and we would take the next week and let their crew members sit out,”
said Sawyer, vice president of competition.
Operational Procedures Move Towards Simplicity
To avoid unnecessary red tape, NASCAR revised its process, giving teams flexibility to request a one-week deferral for such behavioral penalties. Points and monetary penalties, however, remain ineligible for this deferment.
“Just to simplify the process, we worked closely with the teams, we suggested ‘what if we do this,’ on Tuesday if you get a penalty and want to defer it a week, we can do that with behavioral penalties,”
said Sawyer, vice president of competition.
“When it comes down to points and money, that’s not an option, so it just comes down to simplifying the process and working with the industry,”
said Sawyer, vice president of competition.
Before each event, all team rosters must be submitted and approved, ensuring compliance with these regulations once the garage at the track opens.
Impact on Joe Gibbs Racing and the Season Ahead
The forced changes highlight the risks and consequences teams bear in the intensely competitive world of NASCAR. With Nate McBride and Thomas Hatcher stepping in, the performance of the No. 11 team at Kansas Speedway is under close watch. Joe Gibbs Racing’s ability to adapt will be tested, while the return of Joel B. Bouagnon and Austin Maloney in two weeks may determine the team’s future momentum.
This episode underscores NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to keep the competition safe and fair, while providing teams with practical pathways to manage unforeseen disruptions. As the season continues, the ramifications of these Denny Hamlin crew suspensions may ripple across the standings and set an example for handling future infractions.
