On August 16, during the Richmond race, Denny Hamlin faced a frustrating NASCAR speeding penalty despite technically staying within the pit road speed limit. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver arrived at the 409-lap event with a vehicle capable of winning, but pit road difficulties and a late crash resulted in a tenth-place finish. Hamlin discussed the incident in detail on his Actions Detrimental podcast, revealing how a small miscalculation in pit road positioning led to the penalty.
Hamlin explained that maintaining the correct line on pit road is essential to avoid speed penalties, particularly staying far to the right side. A deviation inward caused his speed to be recorded as faster since the measured distance was shorter. This nuance in NASCAR’s timing system meant that although his speed was under the limit in terms of absolute velocity, the timing calculation registered a penalty.
“Well, what happened more than likely was I left my pit stall, didn’t go all the way to the right,” Denny Hamlin explained (31:00). “When you cut the inside of the track a little shorter, your distance is shorter. So even if you run the same amount of lights and RPMs, your speed will show faster.”
“So 45 mph on the very outside versus 45 mph on the inside…while you’re still under the speed limit…it changes the time, and it will register a faster mile per hour the lower you are. I certainly was so frustrated because I knew right off the bat we had a race-winning car,” he added.
Current Standings and Upcoming Race Focus
After 25 races this season, Hamlin sits third in the NASCAR driver standings with 766 points. His consistent performance includes four wins alongside 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Only one race remains before the playoffs start at Darlington on August 31, placing pressure on Hamlin to maintain his strong form.
Looking ahead, Hamlin is concentrating on the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, set for August 23. This 400-lap race will be available for viewing on Peacock starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with live radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Hamlin Reacts to Possible Move of All-Star Race to Dover in 2026
Recent reports from The Athletic journalist Jordan Bianchi on August 14 suggest NASCAR may relocate its prestigious All-Star race from North Wilkesboro to Dover Motor Speedway in 2026. This change could mean North Wilkesboro will finally host its first <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/nascar/cup-series/”>Cup Series points-paying event since 1996. However, Hamlin expressed a preference for Dover continuing to host a points race rather than losing one due to the All-Star event’s move.
Hamlin, originally from Tampa, Florida, praised Dover Motor Speedway for its strong fan engagement, recalling high attendance even under extreme heat conditions.
“Surely, they can’t be talking about replacing Dover’s point race, right?” Denny Hamlin said in a statement. “We had such a great fan turnout when it was 120 degrees, it was like being on the sun!”
“I just hope there’s no way they could be going from two points races to none at Dover. The fan turnout’s been good there, I don’t know why you would do that,” he added.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is expected to be released soon, which will clarify whether Dover will host the All-Star Race or maintain its current schedule. NASCAR fans eagerly await the announcement to see how the calendar will shape up in the coming years.
Impact of Penalty and Future Prospects
Hamlin’s experience with the Richmond speeding penalty highlights the complexity and fine margins involved in NASCAR pit road rules, where even minute deviations can nullify competitive advantages. Despite the tough result last weekend, Hamlin’s position in the driver standings remains strong, positioning him well for the playoffs. His focus on the upcoming Daytona race shows determination to maximize points and maintain momentum.
The potential changes in race venues like the All-Star event also underscore ongoing shifts within NASCAR’s schedule, reflecting fan engagement and regional dynamics. Hamlin’s comments signal concern among drivers about preserving competitive opportunities at fan-favorite tracks like Dover.