Aimee
Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin got a taste of the consequences of a major violation of NASCAR’s new deterrence system.
NASCAR on Tuesday assessed the Joe Gibbs Racing team a penalty that included docking the driver 75 points and suspending his crew chief Darian Grubb for the next six races.
Grubb also was assessed a $125,000 fine and placed on probation for the remainder of the year. In addition, car chief Wesley Sherrill also was suspended for six races and placed on probation for the remainder of the year. Car owner J.D. Gibbs also was given a 75-point penalty.
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 keep fluids, smoke and fire from getting to the driver’s compartment. Air flow through the block-off plates, in theory, can provide additional rear downforce, which could help at a track like Indianapolis.
“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.”
