Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team have been hit with a pricy penalty after Toyota tore down an engine before it could be inspected by NASCAR following Hamlin's victory at Bristol Motor Speedway way back in March.
NASCAR explained the L2-level penalty was issued for failing to meet NASCAR's engine seal requirements with the following statement, noting that Toyota reported the issue themselves: “Each race-winning engine must be inspected by NASCAR once the race team determines that its life cycle is complete. In this instance, prior to presenting the engine to NASCAR for inspection, Toyota Racing Development disassembled and rebuilt the No. 11’s Bristol-winning race engine. Per the NASCAR Rule Book, this violation results in an L2 penalty to the race team and driver. Toyota Racing Development self-reported this violation.”
