Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin got a bad taste of the consequences of a major violation of NASCAR’s new Deterrence System.
NASCAR on Tuesday assessed Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team a P5 penalty, which included docking the driver 75 points and suspending his crew chief Darian Grubb for the next six races.
Grubb was also assessed a $125,000 fine and placed on suspension for the remainder of the year. In addition, car chief Wesley Sherrill was also suspended for six races and placed on probation for the remainder of the year.
Hamlin finished third in Sunday’s Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway but after the race NASCAR officials confiscated several rear firewall block-off plates from his No. 11 Toyota.
The block-off plates are intended to seal the driver’s compartment to keep fluids, smoke and fire from getting to the driver. Air flow through the block-off plates, in theory, can provide additional rear downforce, which could help at a track like the Brickyard.
“This should send a message that for anyone who attempts to overstep or bend the rules, it’s not worth it,” said NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp.
“We revised our penalty and appeal processes to make the system more effective, fair and transparent. That was something all of our competitors asked for.”
Shortly after the announcement, JGR issued a brief statement in which it said it planned to appeal the penalties but Grubb and Sherrill would begin serving their respective suspensions this weekend.
Should JGR not be successful in its appeal, both would return to the track in time for the Sept. 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway, the first race in this season’s Chase.
Even with the points penalty, Hamlin isn’t likely in danger of losing his spot in the 16-driver Chase field. He already has a win this season and with the penalty will drop to 22nd in the series standings (he needs to be in the Top 30 to use his win).
However, it will be difficult for a team without its regular crew chief and car chief over a six-week period to perform up to par.
Hamlin, however, has a strong record —four wins — at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, site of Sunday’s GoBowling.400.
NASCAR restructured its penalty and appeals system in the offseason. Hamlin’s penalty was classified P5 on a scale that rates penalties from P1
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