Photo Credit: Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin were celebrating a NASCAR XFINITY Series win on Saturday, but the celebration has come to an end as NASCAR announced on Wednesday afternoon that the win was encumbered, and the No. 20’s five playoff points for the win are now being taken away.
NASCAR found the splitter on the race winning machine was not flat, creating the encumbered finish under Sections 20.4.3 and 20.4.3.1 of the NASCAR rule book. As a result of the penalty, crew chief Chris Gabehart has been fined $25,000 and is facing a two-race suspension. The team has also lost 25 championship owners points.
Hamlin got the win over JR Motorsports driver William Byron in a thrilling last lap finish that resulted in Hamlin passing the 19-year-old for the win coming down the frontstretch on the final lap.
It’s unknown at this time if Joe Gibbs Racing plans to appeal the penalty.
The full post-weekend penalty report, including a penalty issued to the No. 00 XFINTY Series team and No. 02 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, is listed below.
In my opinion,NASCAR has way too many silly and ridiculous rules.Because a splitter is not flat is the cause of a fine/loss of points,etc is not only ridiculous,but just plain stupid! Racing used to be finding an advantage over your opponents,and using it! I am sure there are many “fans” that are of the same opinion as me. I watch racing faithfully each week on TV, and cannot help but notice all the EMPTY seats at each race! (Truck races have only a handful of people in the stands,and Xfinity not much more than the Truck fans) In short ,NASCAR, you are KILLING racing !! NASCAR IS NOW THE WALKING DEAD in my opinion —