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Denny Hamlin during qualifying.
Denny Hamlin’s playoff run hit a snag during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. On Lap 384, the right-front wheel of his No. 11 Toyota came off, causing him to crash into AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Chevrolet.
The incident resulted in significant damage and a two-lap penalty from NASCAR. Despite the trouble, Hamlin’s earlier win at Gateway and strong Bristol performance before the crash secured his spot in the Round of 12. He finished the race in 31st place.
After the race, Denny Hamlin spoke calmly about the issue.
“It is what it is,” he said. “We were the only car on pit road at the time, and unfortunately, the tire fell off.” He mentioned hitting the wall on the previous lap, which might have caused a problem with the car. “There was clearly an issue with the car,” Hamlin added. “I can’t tell if the suspension was broken, but something was off.”
“I knew something felt off, the right front started shredding coming off the corner, kind of the same feeling we had back in the spring. We tightened it up too much overnight, and once it went, it just blew the right-front right off the car. We’d hit the wall the lap before, so maybe something broke in the suspension.” Hamlin said.
“Honestly, I can’t tell if it was that or just bad luck, but there was definitely something out of whack. If we’d known, we’d have changed a lot. Nobody really predicted this type of race after how smooth practice went yesterday, so it was kind of a chaos situation. It worked out for us here a year ago, just not this time. It is what it is.” he added.
Denny Hamlin’s Team Investigates Wheel Issue
Crew chief Chris Gayle was unsure about the exact cause of the wheel detachment.
During post-race inspection, he told Motorsport, “We don’t know what happened yet.” He pointed out that contact with Allmendinger’s car happened at the same time the wheel nut came loose. “I’ve never seen contact like that before,” Gayle said.
He noted the team would look into it further and expected NASCAR to do the same. The unusual nature of the incident, combined with the earlier wall contact, left the team searching for answers.NASCAR’s Next Gen car uses a single-lug wheel system, which has had issues in the past. The rules are strict about loose wheels, and penalties are common.
Gayle’s comments suggest the team is exploring whether the contact with Allmendinger or the wall impact played a role, rather than a pit crew mistake.
Denny Hamlin Team Prepares for Next Steps
While no appeal has been announced, Hamlin’s team is ready for any outcome. Gayle said, “We are for sure, always prepared for anything that might happen.” This could mean dealing with penalties, like a possible two-race suspension for the jackman and tire changer, which is standard for loose wheel incidents.
However, Gayle’s focus on the on-track contact might be a hint that they’ll push for a review of the penalty. If video evidence supports their case, it could change NASCAR’s decision. Hamlin, staying focused, is moving on to the Round of 12 races, starting with New Hampshire.
The team’s depth will be tested if crew members face suspensions. For now, they’re waiting for more details from NASCAR’s investigation while preparing for the next challenge.
Hamlin’s playoff push continues, but the Bristol incident has made the road ahead tougher. The team’s ability to adapt will be key as they aim to keep their championship hopes alive in the coming races.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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