Hamlin: "I'm fine with taking wins away" from rule violators

After all, the Chesterfield, Virginia native won last year’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway from the pole. He hasn’t finished worse than sixth in his last four starts on the .75-mile track.

Naturally, Hamlin was stoked about coming back to Richmond. He was encouraged by the momentum the team gained from winning its first Southern 500 and how fast his cars are with just one week remaining before the playoffs.

“We ran really well the last couple times here,” Hamlin said. “Really looking forward to it. It's been one that's kind of been circled for a while. We like trying to win this race before the Playoffs start, trying to get the momentum where I feel like we have momentum.

“Everything is going good. Cars are good. I don't see any reason why we can't contend this time around also.”

The infraction

While there should be plenty of buzz surrounding Hamlin’s race chances and playoff hopes right now, any excitement is overshadowed by his cheated up car that failed post-race at the NASCAR R&D Center and the loss of his crew chief Mike Wheeler for the next two events.

Hamlin insists the infraction was minor — as do most of the drivers questioned about the No. 11 car’s illegal rear suspension. The consensus points to every team pushing the rules to the limits. At some point, a team is going to exceed tolerances whether intentional or now.

“The reason people work in those areas is because there's speed there,” Hamlin said. “That's why we always fight for every inch and every quarter and every thousandth of an inch on every part of the car, whether it be under the car or above it. We fight for every inch because there's speed there. So it's a tough game and you got to be willing to take the consequences when you pass over that line that gets drawn in the sand.”

Hamlin insists the issue with his car did not provide him with a competitive advantage over the field.

“I know personally, it had nothing to do with winning the races,” Hamlin said. “I'd won five other races at that track well before that. I'd love to line 'em up again. That track is special to me. It was a special weekend all in all. It took something that was super positive and turned it into a negative pretty quick.” 

Taking wins away?

After discussing the violation with Wheeler, Hamlin believes the punishment fits the crime — for now. Hamlin isn’t opposed to ratcheting up the penalties down the road — as long as each competitor receives equal treatment.

“I think we can talk about taking wins away in the future,” Hamlin said. “I think it's definitely a possibility. As long as it's the same for everyone, I think that's key. Make sure that when someone else is in there with the same violation, it gets the same penalty and treatment even if it's in the Playoffs.

“I think that's what makes me nervous – is that in the Playoffs? Is NASCAR going to do the same things when so much is on the line? Obviously, it's negative publicity for everyone involved. So I just hope that it's the same. I'm fine with taking wins away. Nothing wrong with that.”

Watch Hamlin talk about this at Richmond on Friday: