Hamlin cleared to start the race at Talladega

NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing have confirmed that Denny Hamlin will return to his NASCAR Sprint Cup No. 11 Toyota for this weekend’s Talladega Superspeedway but with limited conditions for his time in the car.

Hamlin had to miss his home race in Richmond, Virginia but was present at the venue to support his JGR teammates.

His recovery from a fractured vertebra has sidelined the Virginian has gone smoothly, but NASCAR nor his team want Hamlin to overextend his time behind the wheel. The road has not been easy since his crash on the final lap at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota comes to a rest after crashing on last lap

Photo by: Getty Images

On March 24th, Hamlin and Joey Logano were in a side-by-side battle for the victory when contact was made between the two, causing the Toyota of Hamlin to sail down into the inside retainer wall. The front of his Camry lifted off the ground after the head-on hit along with all four wheels in the air.

NASCAR stated that Hamlin will be required to run practice laps on Friday. He will qualify the No. 11 Camry Hamlin will be allowed to start the race to allow him to receive points. However, it is expected that a driver change will happen on the first caution; which at Talladega could be early.

At this time, Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to name who will be the substitute driver for Hamlin at during the Talladega 499.