JGR accepts penalties given to Hamlin, Busch, apologizes

Joe Gibbs Racing has declined to appeal the penalties levied by NASCAR that stripped Denny Hamlin of his Pocono Raceway victory and cost Kyle Busch his runner-up finish. The win was awarded to Chase Elliott. Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota and Busch’s No. 18 Toyota both flunked postrace inspection Sunday night when NASCAR found issues in both cars that affected the aerodynamics. Joe Gibbs Racing apologized in a statement and said changes were underway to make sure it did not happen again. Hamlin was stripped of his third Cup Series win of the season and a track-record seventh at Pocono.