Denny Hamlin dealt crippling penalty amid NASCAR championship hunt

 On Thursday, Hamlin and the No. 11 team were docked 75 points and 10 playoff points after reportedly tearing down the engine from their Bristol win on March 17 after its next scheduled use. 

Hamlin's crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has also been fined $100K. 

The penalty drops Hamlin from third to sixth in the Cup Series points standings, while also giving Hamlin just 11 playoff points to work with.

According to Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass, Toyota Racing Development self-reported the transgression to NASCAR. 

With only two races remaining before the playoffs begin, the loss of both playoff and regular-season points is a critical blow for Hamlin, who is still seeking his first Cup Series championship. 

Hamlin will now have to work a little harder to advance from round to round in the playoffs, and losing the regular season points has the potential to lose Hamlin even more playoff points. 

As the Cup Series heads to Daytona and Darlington to close out the season, the intensity will ratchet up for Hamlin, who is now looking to regain the points he lost and grab two more wins. 

Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona will go green shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.