'A bit absurd,' NASCAR says over hypothetical Denny Hamlin penalty

Any penalties race control calls during races are supported by electronic data

Over the past year, it’s been a fringe talking point in NASCAR fan circles about whether or not Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing bringing a lawsuit against the Sanctioning Body would have consequences on the track.

In other words, as The Associated Press brought up in a nearly one hour State of the Sport press conference, what would NASCAR leadership say to fans if race control has to call a penalty against ‘habitual speeder’ Hamlin on Sunday as he chases the Cup Series championship.

League president Steve O’Donnell did not mince words when asked if Hamlin getting a hypothetical penalty on Sunday would be seen as ‘controversial’ from the fanbase.

“No,” O’Donnell said and then called the question ‘a bit absurd.’

O’Donnell said that every penalty they call on the track has been supported with the electronic data that triggers a response from race control in the first place. And to his point, every time a penalty is called that is seen as controversial or ‘close,’ a NASCAR official tends to pretty quickly tweet the evidence in real-time.

"Because we have all the technology in place," O'Donnell said. "We have an unbelievable officiating team. I think that question actually is a bit absurd. I'm pretty confident in the decisions we'll make and the transparency we've had throughout the year"

All of this is to say that Hamlin absolutely has a well-documented history of speeding on pit road and getting called for it, and if it happens on Sunday, NASCAR will be prepared with immediate real-time evidence to support that call from race control.