Denny Hamlin Reacts to Massive Implications of Engine Penalty and Burton's Playoff Triumph

Denny Hamlin returns after a challenging week on and off the track. On Thursday, his No. 11 team faced an L2 penalty due to an engine-rule violation, and Denny breaks down what went wrong at TRD that led to NASCAR’s punishment. He also discusses the impact this penalty could have on his NASCAR Playoffs run.

Saturday brought more misfortune as Denny was caught in a massive wreck, ending his race early. From his bus, Denny watched as Harrison Burton secured a shocking victory, clinching his spot in the Playoffs. Denny and co-host Jared Allen debate whether Christopher Bell should have moved to block Burton before his winning push.

In light of last week’s wild wreck, NASCAR made adjustments to the cars to prevent airborne incidents. Saturday’s race saw Michael McDowell lift off without flipping, while Josh Berry’s car flipped onto its roof. Despite the alarming crashes, Denny shares why he isn’t concerned about cars going airborne.

The discussion shifts to the major implications of Burton’s win for Wood Brothers Racing and the Playoff picture. Burton’s victory, after being 34th in points, raises questions about the Playoff format, especially with only one regular-season race remaining. Denny also reflects on how this affects bubble drivers like 23XI’s Bubba Wallace.

Off the track, the guys talk about Trackhouse’s big news—acquiring a third charter for SVG—and what this means for SVG’s future and Zane Smith losing his ride for next season.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Autographs
01:50 - Denny's Unlucky Streak and Hopes for a Championship
02:18 - Explanation of the L2 Penalty and Engine Inspections
05:43 - The Process of Sealing and Inspecting Engines
09:30 - Impact of the Penalty on Denny's Points and Championship Hopes
10:48 - Concerns about Flips and Crashes in the Cup Series
15:43 - Denny's Frustrations and Disappointments in Recent Races
18:06 - Strategies and Challenges in Super Speedway Racing
20:33 - Analysis of the Finish and Harrison Burton's Win
24:55 - Discussion on Flips and Safety Measures
29:24 - Implications of Harrison Burton's Win and Bubba Wallace's Playoff Chances
33:08 - The Financial Implications of Making the Playoffs
37:13 - The Evolution of the Playoff Format
42:01 - The Importance of Maintaining Intensity
48:05 - The Performance of the 23XI Racing Team
55:51 - The Impressive Commentary of Lee Diffey
01:00:41 - Trackhouse Racing's Commitment to Building a Strong Driver Pool

#NASCAR #DennyHamlin #ActionsDetrimental #JoeGibbsRacing #23X1

[chrisodie]

Denny, gotta say, much respect to you for not losing your mind for that penalty you had nothing to do with

[brucemcqueen]

Denny, I am not really a fan of Denny the driver, but you do a great podcast, and you tell it like it is. Having said that, I am pulling for you to win the championship this year.

[JimmerBloomfield]

I am a big Hamlin hater but I gotta say the openness that Hamlin speaks with on this podcast is awesome. I wish there were more drivers that did shows like this.

His takes on AD were all on the point.

[essbe]

I don't like this era of restrictorless plate racing masquerading as those restrictor plate races at superspeedways like the old days.. It really soils the legacy of the greats.

[Thegeneralms]

That call of the last 2 laps was so great. I was almost in tears for the Burton family.

[scottg]

Look at it the sport vs. entertainment argument like this; NASCAR got to the top of the sports world by just having a race each week. Hundreds of thousands of people were fighting for tickets, and 10s of millions of people were watching on TV. Then NASCAR started trying to manipulate races for entertainment. Then NASCAR started caring more about TV money instead of just having a race. Now just being an entertainment company, you have lost 80% of your fan base, and 80% of your sponsorship money. Just think what the TV money would be now if NASCAR would have kept it's focus on being a legitimate sport.

[guymichaels]

@Denny, thank you for explaining the financial side of how this win affects the Wood bros in the near future.

[stevensharpless]

If that call by Diffey didn’t give you chills as a father then I don’t think you’re a real race fan… one of the best calls I’ve heard in a long time. “Jeff, Your little boy has done it” !!! I mean spot on!!!

[jayrob]

Hey am I the only canadian that listens to Denny Hamlin podcasts?

[RexDowell]

The only thing I could think of that may help keep the cars down that we had today would be where the top roof laps instead of it being solid cut the hole out below the top roof flaps to where the air gets released from inside the car

[jeanjean]

Lol, I was one of the guys that had Jared sign a diecast, appreciate the podcast, come on 11 let's win a efin championship this year

[hughsprague]

This old racing fan has new found respect. At one point I thought you were trying to be the new Kyle Busch, without the bow, but with the bravado to antagonize the fans with ‘I beat your favorite driver — All of them’. Ok, I have to admit that is gangster. Then, you lay down some common sense and insight after the Dillon incident and then again this past week with its crazy setbacks. Also, I respect any driver that competes and puts back into the sport for the love of the sport. It cannot be easy competing as a driver, managing all the sponsor obligations/appearances and adding on top of all that, team ownership. Mad props.

[stamendment]

TRD didn’t want NASCAR to “see” what was done to that motor.

[JDomFai]

if McDowell Wrecked on the straight away without the banking, that car could have cleared the fence and ended up in the crowd. Very very lucky! Might want to consider a bigger fence on the straights by the crowds

[covetedpixel]

You said he would have hit the wall harder if he did NOT flip, But... While the #4 car did lose some energy during the flip, he did not lose that much momentum once he got upside down, but once it was on its roof, there was less resistance so he hit the wall harder. If he was right side up, the rubber tires, half-on or half-off and the frame dragging on the ground would have slowed him down a lot more.

[RedBeardedJoe]

If you ever noticed he didnt go up until hit by Joey Logano hit him not Joey's Fault and the second one was it didnt happen until hit the side of the other Car

[hpnextgen]

Just an observation but I think the rear diffuser packs air under the rear and that is causing the flips.

[sonny_njr]

Denny just can’t catch a break, man… 😔

[ajgrooms]

This sounds like Toyota and Nascar management problem. Why penalize any team

[AtomicPunk]

Would the penalty kick in if TRD cut red seals off before realizing the error and did not complete rebuild of engine?