Denny Hamlin Sympathies With Noah Gragson for Taking the Fall for SHR Cheating

Stewart-Haas Racing found itself back in NASCAR’s penalty box after illegal roof-rail modifications were spotted on their #10 and #41 Ford Mustang Dark Horses in Atlanta two weeks ago. However, the biggest casualty might not be troubling the team, but a young Noah Gragson is striving to make his mark amid “controversies.”

Denny Hamlin, JGR’s veteran #11 driver and rival to the #10 in the Cup Series, recently offered a similar perspective on the situation and its impacts on the 25-year-old caught in Tony Stewart’s team’s recurring infraction woes on the recent episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental.

The discussions surrounding SHR’s L1 penalty unfolded over three race weekends. Following the history-making Atlanta race two weeks prior, NASCAR confiscated the roof rails from both Gragson’s #10 and Ryan Preece’s #41 Fords.

Denny Hamlin Dissects Noah Gragson’s Penalty Controversy

Crucial for managing airflow over the car, these ‘in-house’ modifications were confiscated, and both teams were docked 35 drivers and owners’ points under Section 14.5.6.1.a of the NASCAR rulebook. The roof rails revealed an advantage-gaining modification by the SHR team. NASCAR mandates these parts to be constructed at a specific thickness, precisely 0.05- inches, constructed with aluminum, and installed in a manner to not disrupt airflow or interfere with the aerodynamics of the vehicle. However, the penalized SHR Fords had holes and dents on their roof rails, providing a minor aerodynamic advantage.

With the dust settling on Atlanta’s L1 penalty, the focus then shifted to Las Vegas and Gragson’s chance to claw back lost points at the hands of SHR. The sophomore driver didn’t disappoint, securing a hard-fought P6 finish in his hometown after starting 30th. While the 35-point penalty itself seemed relatively minor after Gragson’s stellar showing, the impact on the points standings for #10 told a different story. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, co-host Jared Allen pointed out the lack of appeals from SHR’s front.

This led Denny Hamlin to reminisce about the inconsistencies of the previous year. “Yeah, last year there were definitely some appeals for sure,” Hamlin said. “The whole controversy because Kaulig got theirs convicted, Hendrick’s was not… Let’s just call it shady…”

He then shifted the focus back to Gragson’s situation with SHR. “The 35-point penalty seems small.” However, stating the bigger picture, Hamlin said, “It’s a good race for one of those guys. Gragson got 31 points, so he had a sixth-place run, so he just got back what he lost.”

The veteran #11 emphasized, “It took him an entire race to get back.”

SHR: Eyeing Another Redemption in Phoenix

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Despite a valiant effort in Las Vegas, the cloud of the SHR penalty hangs over both Gragson and the SHR team. Nevertheless, the Nevada native showed signs of a true leader when talking about his performances post-race.

“There’s been some challenges this year,” Gragson acknowledged in an interview with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, “but there’s also been some good things too.” He noted.

Gragson’s determination to learn and grow resonated in his comments further when he said, “This group, I think we’ve got the tightest group in the garage,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork and not pointing fingers in dark times. While the Atlanta penalty was indeed a blow, it wasn’t enough to shatter his spirit for a comeback in 2024.

Looking ahead to the upcoming race at Phoenix this Sunday, Noah Gragson will be eager to build on this momentum. The Shriners Children’s 500 will be his second Cup Series start at the track, and with two Top 10s already under his belt this season, SHR’s #10 has a chance to prove himself once again at the 1-mile reconfigured short track.

Read More: Phoenix Practice Highlight: SHR’s Dire State Despite Tony Stewart’s Desperate Off-Season Image Refresh