{"id":1558791,"date":"2023-04-22T18:26:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-22T22:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1558791"},"modified":"2023-04-22T18:26:53","modified_gmt":"2023-04-22T22:26:53","slug":"denny-hamlin-kyle-larson-phone-calls-idrivers-fear-nascar-iron-fist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/denny-hamlin-kyle-larson-phone-calls-idrivers-fear-nascar-iron-fist\/","title":{"rendered":"Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson Phone Calls Illustrate How Much Drivers Fear NASCAR's Iron Fist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson<\/a> had checked their calendars, they would have realized it was Austin Dillon\u2019s week to take the hit. But such is the level of paranoia among competitors that even NASCAR<\/a> executives bearing good news are eyed with dread and suspicion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it didn\u2019t help that the two Cup Series stars have had their recent brushes with the long arm of the NASCAR law recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyle Larson escaped the Ryan Preece episode without punishment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Drivers
Drivers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson speak on Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 5, 2021. | Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Denny Hamlin<\/a> is still smarting from the penalties assessed after he admitted rubbing Ross Chastain into the wall at Phoenix, a race that feels like it was ages ago. Hamlin lost his appeal, which left him out $50,000 and 25 championship points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyle Larson\u2019s No. 5 Chevy was one of the four Hendrick Motorsports cars penalized for modifications to hood louvers. Though fines and suspensions stood, all the cars got the 100 championship and 10 playoff points restored upon appeal. NASCAR then turned around and impounded the cars of two of Larson\u2019s teammates for inspection at the R&D center, landing the Alex Bowman and William Byron teams new penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More recently, Larson and Ryan Preece of Stewart-Haas Racing went jousting at the Bristol dirt race. Nothing came of that in the immediate aftermath, but Larson apparently had lingering concerns he might be hearing from NASCAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That takes us to last weekend at Martinsville, where NASCAR impounded the No. 3 Chevy of Austin Dillon for additional inspection and turned up issues. NASCAR cited a violation of the rules regarding underwing assembly mounting and stay assembly hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, the team lost 60 driver and owner championship points plus five playoff points. Crew chief Keith Rodden;s punishment was a two-race suspension and $75,000 fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson heard from NASCAR executives recently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Top of the board for Denny Hamlin! \u2764\ufe0f this tweet to help us congratulate the No. 11 team on their NASCAR Cup Series POLE at Talladega. #NASCARonFS1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8eAB58pNNg<\/a><\/p>— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 22, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>