Denny Hamlin Defends NASCAR Penalty That Hurt Bubba Wallace's Championship Hopes

Denny Hamlin has agreed with the NASCAR Cup Series penalty that hurt Bubba Wallace's championship hopes at the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway.

What happened?

Bubba Wallace nearly achieved one of his best NASCAR Cup Series finishes before a late penalty altered the outcome. He thought he had finished second, but NASCAR reviewed his final-lap move and determined he had gone below the double-yellow line while attempting to gain an advantage. Officials dropped the 23XI Racing driver to 29th, costing him 27 championship points and pushing him to 13th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.

Why it matters for Denny Hamlin

Hamlin, the co-owner of 23XI Racing, discussed the incident on the latest episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental. He said Wallace's decision was his only realistic chance to win, but NASCAR correctly applied its long-standing rule. Hamlin explained that the rule focuses on the attempt to gain an advantage rather than the final result.

What comes next?

Hamlin noted that Wallace briefly moved ahead of the field during the final-lap battle. "Even though the finishing position didn't show that he advanced, if you look at the middle of Turns 3 and 4, Bubba was the furthest car forward at one point. Technically, he did take the lead during the move," Hamlin said.

Hamlin also explained that the layout at EchoPark Speedway makes it hard for drivers to judge where the racing surface ends. "When I'm going on the backstretch at Atlanta, the difference between the apron and the actual racetrack, there's not much difference in banking. So looking at a straight line is like looking at a landing strip for an airplane," he said.

Hamlin added that drivers must treat the double-yellow line as if it were a wall. "It is a wall. That's how they rule it," he said. He also noted that Wallace's speed and momentum made it difficult to keep the car inside the racing surface.

The incident has sparked debate among NASCAR fans and drivers, with some arguing that the penalty was harsh. However, Hamlin believes that NASCAR made the right call. "When I watched it, I was thinking that that's definitely gonna be a penalty because I've been penalized for it before. I know and understand the rule," he said.

The Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway took place on 18 Jun, with the final-lap battle deciding the outcome of the race. The incident has left Wallace and his team reeling, but Hamlin believes that they will bounce back.

The NASCAR Cup Series standings have seen a significant shake-up, with Wallace dropping to 13th place and losing 27 championship points. The next race will be a crucial test for Wallace and his team, as they look to regain their momentum and push for a top spot in the standings.

Hamlin's comments on the incident have sparked a lively debate among NASCAR fans, with some agreeing with his assessment and others disagreeing. However, one thing is clear: the incident has highlighted the importance of understanding and following NASCAR's rules.

The NASCAR Cup Series continues to be one of the most competitive and exciting racing series in the world, with drivers and teams pushing the limits of speed and skill. The incident at the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway has added another layer of complexity to the series, but it has also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and respect for the rules.

The next NASCAR Cup Series race will be a crucial test for Wallace and his team, as they look to regain their momentum and push for a top spot in the standings.