A post-race inspection at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has resulted in a hefty penalty for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team.
The infraction is a P5 level penalty which is a step down from the stiffest penalty in the NASCAR handbook.
According to NASCAR, the penalties came after officials found parts on Denny Hamlin’s car that fail or were improperly installed to fail in their intended use of great importance. Those parts include “rear wheel panels that fail and allow air evacuation in the trunk area; an oil box cover that fails and allows air evacuation in the driver compartment; and a shifter boot cover that fails and allows air evacuation through the floor pan.”
Since the infraction was found in a post-race inspection, an additional loss of points and a fine were applied. As a result, crew chief Darian Grubb was fined $75,000 plus an additional $50,000 post-race fine for a total of $125,000.
Grubb and car chief Wesley Sherill have been suspended from NASCAR for the next six series championship events, plus any non-championship races or special events that might occur during that time. They both have also been placed on NASCAR probation for the next six months.
Hamlin has lost 75 points in the championship standings and car owner J.D. Gibbs lost 75 championship owner points. Hamlin now sits in the 21st spot after leaving Indianapolis in the 11th position in the standings.
An official statement was released by Joe Gibbs Racing:
“Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is aware of the penalty issued by NASCAR today regarding the No. 11 team’s post-race inspection infraction following Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race in Indianapolis.
“JGR will plan to appeal the penalty, however, crew chief Darian Grubb and car chief Wesley Sherrill will begin to serve their suspensions starting this weekend in Pocono.”
Hamlin finished third in Sunday’s Crown Royal presents, the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard.
