Denny Hamlin believes someone at Stewart-Haas was 'sweating bullets' before brutal Chase Briscoe penalty

Chase Briscoe and the Stewart-Haas Racing team faced serious punishment from NASCAR following the Coca-Cola 600. During the post-race inspection, officials found a counterfeit part, leading to a sizable penalty.

NASCAR issued an L3-level penalty, the most severe. The result is a loss of 120 driver and owner points, 25 NASCAR playoff points and a six-race suspension plus a $250,000 fine for crew chief Johnny Klausmeier.

During his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin talked about the penalties the team faced for the illegal part.

“You heard Chase Briscoe say, ‘Man, we’re fortunate it’s not worse than that,'” Hamlin said. “More than likely, I think someone probably knew — it’s hard to speculate because you’re not in that building — somebody was sweating bullets when that car got taken to R&D.”

Hamlin then gave a brief explanation as to what happens during that inspection process and why NASCAR needs to continue to stick with it.

“It’s just a bunch of parts laying on the floor. They go through everything. It is a very thorough investigation but it’s what we need in our sport. NASCAR needs to continue doing this, for sure. It helps the integrity of our sport.”

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, explained why Stewart-Haas Racing faced such serious penalties.

“In the post-race inspection at the R&D Center, we found the No. 14 car had an engine panel NACA duct not in compliance with the rule book,” Sawyer told NASCAR.com. “It is a counterfeit part, and that is an L3 penalty. … We need to make sure we’re keeping the teams and the car in compliance. The deterrence model has to fit that, and that’s our responsibility as custodians of the sport and of the garage.”

Chase Briscoe comments on Stewart-Haas penalties

Without question, the penalty Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing faced was frustrating. But, the punishment fits the crime.

Shortly after NASCAR levied the consequences on the team, Briscoe commented about the situation. While not pleased, he is relieved that the penalties weren’t more severe.

“It was frustrating but at the same time, it is what it is,” Briscoe said of the penalty, via Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports. “We can’t change it. Obviously, the penalty was justified. I don’t think that I can sit here and be mad about it or anything like that, it is what it is.

“Just gotta go on and try to make the most out of this season. The penalty could have been a lot worse. They could have totally taken our playoff eligibility and everything away. So, we still have 11 weeks to try to win a race and that’s what we’ll do.”

Greg Zipadelli, the Stewart-Haas Racing competition director, also commented.

“We had a quality control lapse and a part that never should’ve been on a car going to the racetrack ended up on the No. 14 car at Charlotte,” Zipadelli said. “We accept NASCAR’s decision and will not appeal.”