# Hendrick Veteran Calls Out Hamlin Over Pit Stop Blunder

> Steve Letarte blames Denny Hamlin's pit stop error for costly race loss.
- Title: Hendrick Veteran Calls Out Hamlin Over Pit Stop Blunder
- Summary: Steve Letarte blames Denny Hamlin's pit stop error for costly race loss. Steve Letarte says Denny Hamlin's pit stop mistake cost him Stage 1 points after a…
- Keywords: denny hamlin, steve letarte, hendrick motorsports, nascar, pit stop, stage 1 points, joe gibbs racing, trackhouse racing, sports, Hendrick, Veteran, Calls
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-youve-got-more-to-lose-hendrick-motorsports-veteran-points-fingers-at-denny-hamlin-over-costly-pit-road-blunder
- Author: Chionia Libania Colaco
- Published: 2026-10-14T20:46:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: denny hamlin, steve letarte, hendrick motorsports, nascar, pit stop, stage 1 points, joe gibbs racing, trackhouse racing, sports
## Pit Stop Incident
Steve Letarte points to a split-second pit road decision that caused a safety violation penalty.

> The big issue was this tire right here
## Safety Violation Details
A crew member fell over the pit wall during Hamlin's stop on lap 36, triggering a penalty.

> He was called for a safety violation because this crew member, unfortunately, falls over and touches the ground
## Pit Box Re-measurement
The No. 11 crew re-measured their pit box after realizing the No. 88 blocked them.

> This is the pit crew re-measuring the pit box because they now realize that this team’s going to be an issue
## Lack of Preparation
Letarte says Hamlin's team lacked preparation, with the car's nose too close to the pit wall.

> Being blocked in, this is a little bit of a lack of preparation for me
## Kyle Petty's View
Kyle Petty states the No. 11 team has more to lose than the No. 88 team in this situation.

> They should have read the tea leaves before that because they have more to lose
## Race Consequence
Hamlin lost nine Stage 1 points, now trailing Kyle Larson by 49 with four races left.

> Larson scored 49 points to Hamlin’s 40, so Hamlin lost nine more
## Key takeaway

Steve Letarte says Denny Hamlin's pit stop mistake cost him Stage 1 points after a crew member fell over the pit wall.