Denny Hamlin’s Title Dreams in Jeopardy

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👋 Dear Motorheads,

No way! Just days after Denny Hamlin predicted NASCAR's handling of Austin Dillon's penalty appeal, the shoe dropped on his own #11 team. A seemingly harmless mistake has put his championship dreams in jeopardy once again. With an L2 penalty, fines, and docked championship points, the governing body sure did hand Denny the entire package with this punishment.

But before we get into that. Let’s take a moment to grasp how NASCAR has returned to the Daytona International Speedway yet again this season! It feels like it was only yesterday when William Byron scored the first win of the 2024 Cup Series season at the season-opening Daytona 500. And now, in only a few hours, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will add to that excitement, as a brand-new contender vies for glory at the World Center of Racing.

Will it be a sweep for Byron or will another playoff-hopeful claim his rightful spot? That answer will only come at the end of today’s race. But since we’re gearing up for the 65th edition of the Daytona fall race, the Lucky Dog brought you a heartwarming story etched forever into the very asphalt of the spiritual home of NASCAR.

So let's dive in!