After the NASCAR Cup Series race in Pocono, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott found themselves in the middle of all the headlines. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who took the checkered flag, was disqualified from the race and his win was then awarded to the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
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This was because Hamlin’s #11 Toyota was found with a hidden piece of tape, i.e. an illegal piece of tape on it in the post-race inspection.
However, a few weeks later, after the recent Cup Race in Michigan, Hamlin could once again face some penalties after they took his car in for inspection. But this time around, his car won’t have the company of his teammate, Kyle Busch, but rather, Elliott’s.
The cars of Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin are headed to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) August 8, 2022
This was what led many NASCAR fans to speculate whether there was an incoming penalty coming for the sport’s most popular driver.
Sounds like someone is getting penalized
— Austin Cooper (@AustinC76522755) August 9, 2022
I think nascar will find something wrong with chase elliotts car just so they can tighten the points back up. Wait and see!
— chris beasley (@cgrainger655) August 9, 2022
The outrage if the nine ends up getting a playoff suspension
— Kohen Thompson (@KohenWizard) August 9, 2022
9 car isn’t doing too well from what I heard lol
— Brandon Scercy (@BrandonScercy) August 10, 2022
They about to lay the hammer down on someone
— Chad Bryant (@chadbryant2027) August 9, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: From Hamlin to Dale Earnhardt Jr: Danica Patrick’s Most Bitter NASCAR Feuds
Chase Elliott refused to celebrate his Pocono win as he hadn’t earned it
After Denny Hamlin’s and Kyle Busch‘s disqualification, the third-place finisher, Chase Elliott, was promoted to the first spot on the final standings, earning him yet another win.
But the son of the awesome Bill from Dawsonville wasn’t too keen on celebrating the victory.
Also Read: Danica Patrick Reveals the Most Common Household Thing She’s Been Avoiding for Years
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In fact, he emphasized he wouldn’t want to win a race the way he did in Pocono. “I was probably just kind of more surprised by it than anything,” Elliott said.
“I don’t think any driver wants to win that way. I certainly don’t.”
Regardless of what he said, and however much his idealism and ‘doing it right’ mentality is worth applauding, the trophy did end up being delivered to him by the Fed Ex man, Hamlin, a week later.
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Now, Pocono is behind us, done and dusted. However, the question remains, does Chase Elliott taste the same medicine of which Denny Hamlin could get a double dose?