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Hamlin's Crew Suspended, But Playoff Hopes Remain Alive

9/18/2025

36 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Denny Hamlin's No. 11 team faces crew suspensions due to a wheel loss at Bristol.
NASCAR suspended crew members Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon for two races.
Joe Gibbs Racing deferred the suspensions, allowing Hamlin to use his regular pit crew at New Hampshire.
Despite finishing 31st at Bristol, Hamlin is 26 points above the playoff cutline.
The Round of 12 starts this weekend, making pit stop execution vital for his playoff success.

History

Historical Context

In 2013, NASCAR tightened pit crew regulations after incidents that influenced race results, leading to suspensions of crew members from teams like Joe Gibbs Racing. The recent suspensions of Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon highlight ongoing concerns about crew reliability. As NASCAR continues to evolve, maintaining high standards for pit crews is vital for competitive integrity and playoff implications.

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Story summary

Denny Hamlin's No. 11 team faces crew suspensions due to a wheel loss at Bristol.
NASCAR suspended crew members Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon for two races.
Joe Gibbs Racing deferred the suspensions, allowing Hamlin to use his regular pit crew at New Hampshire.
Despite finishing 31st at Bristol, Hamlin is 26 points above the playoff cutline.
The Round of 12 starts this weekend, making pit stop execution vital for his playoff success.

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