Transaxle issue sidelines Denny Hamlin

LAS VEGAS — A transaxle issue ended Denny Hamlin’s race day in the Pennzoil 400 Sunday, netting the Joe Gibbs Racing driver his second DNF of 2022 in the third race of the season.

During the final stage and running inside the Top-10, Hamlin slowed and stalled below the apron of the track during a round of green flag pit stops. Hamlin ultimately finished 32nd, completing 219 laps.

“Just killed every gear when I left pit road,” Hamlin said. “We had the best car today. Just got back there and was working our way forward and made mistakes.”

Hamlin earned a total of nine stage points across the first two stages of the race, leading twice for 31 laps.

Entering the Las Vegas race weekend, Hamlin was 30th in driver’s points, 24 points behind the playoff cutline. Now, the three-time Daytona 500 champion remains 30th in driver’s points but 31 points behind the cutline.

SOURCES
Racing-Reference.info
Toyota Racing