ASCAR has issued a two-race suspension to two Joe Gibbs Racing crew members after a safety violation during the Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend.

Denny Hamlin made contact with Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger after his right-front wheel became dislodged on lap 384.

NASCAR managing director of racing communications Mike Forde confirmed that the suspensions will be deferred for one week and introduced at Kansas.

“What we did at the beginning of the year was we said that if there is a suspension that’s not a behavioral penalty, that the suspension can be deferred without an appeal request for the next event following the issuance of the penalty,” Forde said during the latest recording of the “Hauler Talk” podcast.

“So if the 11 team would like for their two crew members to be part of the New Hampshire race, they can request a deferral. The appeals administrator would be the one who does grant that or not grant that. There is pretty much 100% success rate (of granting the deferral).”

 

Kevin Harvick reacted to the news during the Harvick Happy Hour podcast, questioning whether the penalty could impact Hamlin’s fight for the championship.

“I think it will be interesting to see how they fill that depth with the tire changer and whoever gets a vacation here,” he said. “Definitely the wrong time of year to have that scenario happen because of the fact that you’re starting a new round of he playoffs.

“I think as you go to New Hampshire next week, you expect [Hamlin] to be one of those favorites. So, you know that they’re going to be in a position with some pressure on them with somebody different up in that right front area. Not ideal.

“Is this the moment that could affect Denny Hamlin’s championship run? That’s really what you have to ask. Most of them are going to come down to track position, pit strategy, executing on pit road. You’re not going to win those races unless you have all that go your way.”