Denny Hamlin Confirms Joey Logano’s Phoenix Penalty; Christopher Bell Tops NASCAR Cup Series Title Odds

Denny Hamlin watched Joey Logano drive low during the Lap 18 restart of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway.

Too low.

Logano appeared to possess one of the strongest Stage 1 machines. The reigning circuit champion qualified second and briefly led during the opening five rotations. As Noah Gragson collided with Cole Custer, Logano passed pole-sitter William Byron with an outside move on Lap 10.

Logano powered past Byron on the Lap 15 restart, but was flagged for driving below the yellow line. Logano incurred a pass-through penalty, falling out of contention and eventually placing P13.

Edged by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell in the second-closest finish at Phoenix, Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast that race officials served the right call on Logano.

“It’s a penalty,” Hamlin said. “When you play tennis, that’s why they have that hawk eye system. When the ball touches the line, it’s not nitpicking. You have to draw a line somewhere and there’s actually a line on the track.”
When informed of the penalty, Logano yelled over his team radio: “No way. That is ridiculous.”

The penalty caused the No. 22 Ford team to change plans and go to the optional tires early. The strategy worked as Logano worked his way through the field to recapture the lead, but without the alternate rubber, he faded late in Stage 3.

“Obviously, our strategy took a hit with the penalty early on,” Logano told NBC Sports. “That took us out of, at least, a pair of top 10 stage finishes. We had top-10 speed all day, but had to settle for 13th.”

With three consecutive trips to Victory Lane, Bell (+375) was tabbed as the circuit’s new best bet to claim the drivers’ championship, per BetOnline Sportsbook. Along with Chase Elliott (+900), Hamlin was tabbed with the series’ fifth-best odds to claim his first series title.

The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew of Denny Hamlin knocked out a four tire change and adjustment in 8.67 seconds the last time that he visited pit road.Just watch that smooth behind the back jack motion from Joël. That motion not only allows a fast transition but also retightens the jack.

— Bozi Tatarevic (@bozitatarevic.bsky.social) 2025-03-10T17:21:51.552Z

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds    

Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for capturing the NASCAR Cup Series championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:

*-Odds current at time of publication