Denny Hamlin was penalized for violating NASCAR’s engine inspection requirements months after the incident.
Hamlin earned the second of his three Cup Series victories in the Ford City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in March.
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However, Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing team has now been found guilty of violating NASCAR rulebook sections 14.7.1.E&F and 14.7.1.1.B&E during the event.
Luckily for Hamlin, his win still stands, but it no longer qualifies him for the playoffs. This doesn’t affect his playoff status since he has two other wins under his belt, but he lost 10 playoff points and 75 regular season points as well.
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Denny Hamlin reacts to huge penalty
Speaking in response to the news, Hamlin admitted it was hard not to feel negative about the situation given the hard work he has put into the campaign.
“It’s really, really difficult,” Hamlin explained via NASCAR.
“It’s really tough in this kind of format, when you work so hard in the regular season to get all those bonus points. It’s really tough to see it all go away.
“But that’s part of the problem and we have to overcome it now.”
To top it all off, Hamlin recorded a DNF in this weekend’s race at Daytona.
The No. 11 Toyota driver now sits eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season standings, with just one race remaining in the playoffs.
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