Joe Gibbs Racing to Defer Suspensions After Hamlin’s Tire Snafu

What’s Happening?

Joe Gibbs Racing will defer the suspensions of two crew members following a penalty dished out by NASCAR after Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team lost a right front tire on track at Bristol Motor Speedway.

• Tuesday, NASCAR announced that crew members Austin Maloney, a tire changer, and Joel Bouagnon, a jackman, are suspended for the next two NASCAR Cup Series races. This penalty was expected, though some questioned the nature of Hamlin’s lost wheel, and the suspensions are a common NASCAR rule.
• Per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, JGR will defer these suspensions until next week, meaning these crew members will be in play for this week’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Prior to this, there were questions as to where JGR would get replacements, with this decision giving them another week to make a plan.
• While it would seem easy to replace these crew members, JGR likely wants to make sure they have a perfect setup, as Hamlin is currently the points leader entering the first race of the second round of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Options for a replacement next week could come from JGR pit crew leasees, Rick Ware Racing and Front Row Motorsports, or even Ty Gibbs’ No. 54.
• While the potential for error from backup crew members could be daunting for some, prior to the suspensions, Hamlin addressed the situation. During Monday’s episode of Action’s Detremental, Hamlin said, “I have no idea who’s sitting on the bench, who’s ready, and it’s not even my concern.”

Denny Hamlin Weighs in on Tire Penalties’ Potential Effect on Playoff Run

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