Denny Hamlin may have swept the Monster Energy Cup Series and Xfinity Series races over the Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway, but NASCAR classified both those victories as encumbered Wednesday after each of Hamlin’s race-winning cars failed technical inspection.
Denny Hamlin penalized after race-winning cars fail NASCAR inspection following Darlington sweep
The cars Denny Hamlin drove to victory in the Cup Series and Xfinity Series races at Darlington each failed inspection
Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Officials found illegal rear suspensions on Hamlin’s Cup and Xfinity cars after taking the Toyotas back to NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will remain the winner of record for both races, however he will not receive the five bonus points earned for winning the Cup race that can be used in the championship playoffs. Hamlin is ineligible to receive Xfinity points.
Hamlin’s Cup crew chief, Mike Wheeler, was suspended two races and fined $50,000, while his Xfinity crew chief, Eric Phillips was suspended two races and fined $25,000. Hamlin is docked 25 Cup points, with JGR losing 25 Cup and Xfinity team points.
Hamlin already earned Cup playoff eligibility by winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July. He remains fourth in the series points standings, 34 points ahead of fifth-place Brad Keselowski.
Wheeler will miss the regular-season finale Saturday night at Richmond Raceway and the playoff opener Sept. 17 at Chicagoland Speedway. JGR will not appeal the penalties, naming Chris Gabehart, normally an Xfinity crew chief for JGR, to fill in during Wheeler’s absence.
NASCAR also announced the No. 22 Team Penske car of Joey Logano, who finished second in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, was found with a similar infraction as Hamlin’s winning Toyota. Logano’s finish is encumbered, with crew chief Greg Erwin suspended two races and fined $25,000.
Additionally, NASCAR suspended Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief, Greg Ives, one race and fined him $20,000 after officials found two unsecured lug nuts on Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet following Sunday night’s Cup race. Hendrick Motorsports will not appeal the sanctions and Ives will sit out Richmond.
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