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NASCAR: Winners And Losers From New Hampshire

By Cole Mentzel

Sep 25, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; A general view of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the New England 300. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; A general view of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the New England 300. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch race into turn 1 during the New England 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch race into turn 1 during the New England 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Denny Hamlin’s Penalty

We saw a caution come out with roughly 35 laps to go that sent a few drivers to pit lane.

One of those drivers was Denny Hamlin. Throughout the entire 2016 season, we have seen him and the No. 11 team struggle on pit road as they’ve racked up penalties for improper fueling, speeding and–most recently–an uncontrolled tire.

There were just 32 laps to go once the race restarted and Hamlin found himself at the back of the pack. He managed to race his way back to the 15th-position, where he would go on to finish the day.

He still remains seventh in the standings and will be 14 points up on 12th place entering Dover next weekend, but Hamlin’s penalty issues continue to be a problem. Had that penalty come a little later in the race, he could’ve been in for a finish below 20th.

His Toyota cars have been fast this year, but if him and his team continue to have issues on pit road, it could come back to hurt him later on in the Chase.

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