Denny Hamlin reacts to losing wheel at Bristol, ‘unfortunate’ penalty for second round of playoffs

Denny Hamlin isn’t sure why he lost a wheel while competing in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Bristol on Saturday night. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin reacted to the incident that will likely lead to a penalty.

“All I know is I went into Turn 3, I felt something kind of weird off of Turn 2 where I felt like I turned the wheel, and the thing was hanging,” Denny Hamlin said. “I was like, ‘What the hell? Am I having another major tight moment?’ …It was only a couple of laps into that run. I just went in Turn 3, the car went straight, wiped out AJ [Allmendinger]. I don’t know who else got in it, but then I was riding on three tires.”

When a wheel comes off under green flag conditions on the track, it’s a two-lap penalty for the driver. NASCAR will then issue a two-race suspension for the jackman and whichever tire changer put that wheel on.

Hamlin was then asked about the possibility of losing two crew members for the next two playoff races. “It’s super unfortunate because we were the only guys on pit road during that time,” Hamlin explained. “There was no indication, no heads up or anything. If it was loose leading the pit stall, but I’m not sure. I don’t have an answer of how or why, but more than likely.”

The lost wheel led to Hamlin finishing 31st at Bristol. It didn’t matter where Hamlin finished since he clinched a spot in the Round of 12 of the playoffs after winning at Gateway last week. If Hamlin loses two crew members, they will miss the races at New Hampshire and Kansas. They will be eligible to return for the Charlotte Roval race, the most challenging track of the round for the No. 11 team.

It’s been a strong year for Denny Hamlin, who is looking to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship for the first time in his career. He leads all Cup Series drivers with five victories and is on top of the playoff standings with 26 points above the cut line.