Denny Hamlin Takes a Stand on NASCAR Penalties Amid Tough 2025 Season

Denny Hamlin, one of NASCAR’s most experienced and respected drivers, has recently spoken out about the increasing number of penalties issued during the 2025 season. Despite the growing list of infractions and sanctions, Hamlin firmly believes that the rules should be enforced strictly “by the book” – with no negotiations or exceptions. He argues that consistent penalty enforcement is essential to maintaining fairness in the sport, especially as the NextGen car’s tight regulations push teams to find any possible competitive edge.

Penalties Piling Up Early in the Season

The 2025 NASCAR season is only halfway through, yet penalties have become a major topic of discussion. Prominent drivers such as Erik Jones at Martinsville, Ryan Preece and Joey Logano at Talladega, and Chris Buescher at Kansas have all faced recent penalties, illustrating how frequently infractions are being called out.

Hamlin shared his thoughts in an interview with Frontstretch.com, emphasizing the need for fairness:

“It certainly got to be fair for everyone. I had a race win taken away, so yeah, one for all, for sure. Whatever the infraction, whatever it says in the book is what the penalty should be level. It shouldn’t be negotiated up or down, or anything like that, just by the book.”

His statement highlights the importance of applying penalties uniformly – regardless of whether a driver is a rookie or veteran, a championship contender or a mid-pack racer. This approach aims to preserve competitive integrity across the field.

The NextGen Car and the Search for Edges

A major factor behind the surge in penalties is the introduction of the NextGen car. Designed to enhance safety and create closer racing, the new model comes with a strict rulebook that leaves teams “boxed in” on many technical fronts.

Hamlin explained:

“Teams are trying to find any edge that they can with the Next-Gen car because you’re boxed in so many areas… It’s just a game of can you get caught or not.”

This dynamic creates a constant cat-and-mouse game where teams push boundaries in hopes of gaining an advantage without crossing the line – inevitably leading to more penalties. Hamlin’s stance reflects a desire for transparency and fairness in how NASCAR handles these infractions, suggesting that consistent enforcement helps keep the competition honest even as teams test limits.

Hamlin’s Challenging 2025 Season

Despite his vocal support for stricter penalty enforcement, Hamlin’s own 2025 season has been difficult. His No. 11 Toyota Camry has suffered back-to-back DNFs (Did Not Finish), something he hadn’t experienced since 2013.

At Texas Motor Speedway, Hamlin’s car caught fire, forcing an early exit and a disappointing 38th place finish. Then, at Kansas Speedway, a clutch issue cut his race short after completing 199 of 267 laps, leaving him 36th. Hamlin commented after Kansas:

“Yeah, I think eventually just broke the transaxle trying to leave the stall there. Unfortunate for the Progressive Toyota team. Really fast again – just can’t keep it together right now.”

These setbacks have made Hamlin more determined to regain momentum. With the upcoming 66th Coca-Cola 600 scheduled for May 25, he aims to bounce back strongly.

Penalty Impact on Hamlin’s Season

Earlier in the season, Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 team were issued a significant L2-level penalty for violating NASCAR’s engine inspection requirements. The team was found to have disassembled and rebuilt Hamlin’s Bristol-winning engine before NASCAR could inspect it, which is against the rulebook. As a result, Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs were docked 75 driver and owner points, as well as 10 playoff points, while crew chief Chris Gabehart was fined $100,000. Hamlin’s Bristol win no longer counts toward playoff eligibility or advancement, and the penalty dropped him from third to sixth in the regular-season standings, effectively ending his chances for the Regular Season Championship.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD), responsible for the engine, self-reported the violation and took full responsibility. TRD President David Wilson stated:

“Despite procedures being in place, Denny’s race-winning engine from Bristol was mistakenly returned to our Costa Mesa facility, disassembled, and rebuilt instead of being torn down and inspected by NASCAR per the rulebook. Although we know with absolute certainty that the engine was legal and would have passed inspection, we left NASCAR in an impossible position because they were not given the opportunity to properly inspect our engine. We have reviewed our processes and have implemented several additional steps to ensure that this never happens again. TRD takes full responsibility for this grievous mistake, and we apologize to Denny, Chris, Coach Gibbs, the entire JGR organization, NASCAR, and our fans.”

Looking Ahead: All-Star Race and Maintaining Fairness

Despite the challenges, Hamlin remains focused on his performance and the integrity of the sport. He is preparing for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, an event he won in 2015, and is eager to add a second All-Star victory to his record.

Hamlin’s call for penalties to be handed down strictly by the book serves as a reminder that NASCAR’s integrity depends on clear and consistent rule enforcement – something that benefits every driver and fan. As the 2025 season progresses, how NASCAR manages penalties and how top drivers like Hamlin respond will continue to shape the competition and drama on the track.

This detailed account is based on Hamlin’s recent statements and the ongoing penalty situation in the 2025 NASCAR season, reflecting his perspective on fairness, the challenges of the NextGen car, and his own racing struggles.