10 MINUTES AGO🛑 NASCAR CONFIRMS Denny Hamlin among driver stars affected by a lap elimination at the WWT Raceway

💥 In a stunning post-race twist, NASCAR officials have confirmed that Denny Hamlin, one of the top contenders in the 2025 Cup Series Playoffs, was among several drivers penalized with a lap elimination following the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The decision came after race control reviewed telemetry and track-limit data, revealing that Hamlin exceeded the designated boundary at Turn 4 during a critical moment in Stage 2. The penalty has reshaped the final standings and added tension to an already heated playoff battle.

⚠️ Hamlin, who started from pole position and led multiple laps, was visibly frustrated after learning of the lap deletion. “We had the car, we had the pace — and now we’re dealing with this,” he said in a brief post-race interview. The lap elimination dropped him from a potential top-five finish to seventh overall, shaving valuable points off his playoff total. NASCAR’s competition team stated that the enforcement was consistent with new regulations introduced earlier this season, aimed at curbing repeated track-limit violations.

💬 The penalty has sparked immediate debate across the paddock, with fans and analysts questioning the timing and transparency of the ruling. Joe Gibbs Racing issued a statement supporting Hamlin and requesting a formal review of the incident. Meanwhile, other drivers affected by similar penalties — including Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon — have remained silent, fueling speculation about internal team tensions. Social media lit up with hashtags like #LetThemRace and #HamlinPenalty, as fans rallied behind the veteran driver.

🏁 As the Cup Series heads toward Bristol, the fallout from Gateway could have lasting implications. With playoff margins razor-thin and emotions running high, every lap — and every inch of asphalt — now carries championship weight. Whether NASCAR’s strict enforcement will lead to greater consistency or deeper controversy remains to be seen. For Denny Hamlin, the road to the title just got steeper — and the racing world is watching every move.