Denny Hamlin asked NASCAR what would happen if he didn’t start the race due to a brake pad issue; They said they would issue a big penalty
Over the weekend, NASCAR raced on the 7/8-mile of Iowa Speedway. Multiple Joe Gibbs Racing drivers suffered from braking issues in practice.
For Denny Hamlin, he stated that the brakes would work for a few laps. But, after that, they would go away.
The drivers noted that he didn’t feel safe. He pleaded inside the NASCAR hauler to allow him to make the change. They said they wouldn’t allow it.
Hamlin asked NASCAR what would happen if he didn’t start the race. They told him that the penalty would be bigger than if he just sat on pit lane during the race and changed the pads.
He further stated NASCAR was going to make up a penalty for him. Hamlin stated, “So, they did acknowledge that they were willing to make up a rule.”
Denny Hamlin says NASCAR was going to make up a penalty for him
This is a modern NASCAR problem. Teams used to run multiple hours of practice and brake pads would regularly be changed before a race.
Dale Jr ranted about this whole situation…
Dale Earnhardt Jr comments on brake pads
“I think you should be able to change them,” Dale Earnhardt Jr stated of the brake pads via the Dale Jr Download.
“It’s hard for me to stomach that we are where we are in such a short period of time. We would go to the racetrack and if we wanted to change the (expletive) pads or change the rotors or put new (expletive) on. We just did it.”
“Why are we so rigid?”
TJ Majors added, “Well we had three practices, an hour each.”
Dale Jr responded, “What has that got to do with the (expletive) brake pads though? Why do you care if a guy wants to change his (expletive) brake pads?”
Majors added, “Well if you’re trying to keep costs down. People are going to do it every week.”
Dale Jr rebutted, “You’re not keeping costs down! (expletive) the (expletive) costs!”
“I don’t mind them qualifying on a pad and racing on a different pad. (expletive), the teams need something to (expletive) do besides pushing cars around through tech all (expletive) day!”
“All of our road guys go to the racetrack and they are eager to have a mechanical (expletive) job to do. Something to (expletive) work on. They don’t want to go to the racetrack and sit around and hold a (expletive) umbrella and push a car through tech.”
“Should NASCAR let teams change brake pads? I believe they should. If you change anything on your car after qualifying, you may go to the rear.”
Dale Jr concluded, “But, since we’re going to add a little practice. You need to open it up a little bit.”
Iowa Race Results: August 9, 2026 (NASCAR Cup Series)
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