Dale Earnhardt Jr. Admits He “Doesn’t Feel a Whole Lot of Confidence” As Denny Hamlin Appeals the 5-Digit Detriment for His Actions

A few days ago, Denny Hamlin had announced he’d be appealing the penalty handed to him by NASCAR for his violation of section 4.4.B and section 4.4.D of the Cup rule book. And while his fans, and even the driver himself, might be pretty hopeful of overturning the penalty of $50,000 and 25 points, Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t share that optimism.

Hamlin posted a tweet in which he announced he’d be appealing the penalty, claiming what happened with Chastain was “hard racing” which happens every weekend. “There was also no manipulation of the race nor actions detrimental to the sport,” he wrote.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t all that hopeful about NASCAR revoking Hamlin’s penalty

Speaking in an episode of his podcast show, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened up on his take on NASCAR, potentially taking back Denny Hamlin’s penalty, a subject on which his co-host Mike Davis had a different opinion.

“I don’t feel a whole lot of confidence in him changing it whatsoever,” Junior said. “I would fight it too because I feel like whether he’s got a case or not, the points are so important. He has to try and get some of those points back.”

He described how he would in this situation try to hope for a William Byron 2.0 as last season, his penalty was shifted from points to more money. “But I don’t feel like Denny has a ton of leverage here,” he emphasized.

This led to Davis chiming in with his take as he said, “Maybe he doesn’t have a ton of leverage but he has a lot of heat facts data, he’s not appealing this just to go through the motions in the appeal and try to get the points back, he thinks he will win.” 

“He believes in his case,” Junior added, to which Davis reacted, “100%.”

“To be honest with you, seeing some of the things I’ve seen since all then, I think he does have a case. I think there’s a lot more riding on this case than just what we think, ‘Oh let’s just try to get some points back,’” Davis further described. “I think it’s a pretty big deal.”

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Denny Hamlin’s podcast admission ultimately led to his penalty

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When the incident between Hamlin and Chastain happened during the race, many wondered if it was actually a racing incident, something Hamlin too would resort to as he appealed the eventual penalty. But then, the veteran admitted he intentionally did what he did to the #1 driver.

This, according to Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, was when they felt they had to get involved.

He said, according to NBC Sports, that they were looking at the incident as “a racing incident,” but then 24 hours later, Hamlin got on his podcast and admitted that he intentionally did something “that would compromise the results” of the race, that they had to do something.

“That rises to the level that we’re going to get involved,” he added.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr Highlights NASCAR’s “Misinterpreted” Communication Flaws While Addressing the $400,000 Hendrick Motorsports’ Misfortune