Why Denny Hamlin was penalized at start of NASCAR Nashville race

LEBANON – Denny Hamlin was penalized for jumping the start from the pole for the NASCAR Nashville race.

Hamlin was black flagged for jumping the pack by about three car lengths before the start of the restart zone.

The penalty sent Hamlin to the back of the 38-car field. Hamline was coming off a win in the NASCAR All-Star Race and a third-place finish at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600.

Tyler Reddick, who started on Row 1 beside Hamlin, took the lead after the penalty and led after lap until a competition caution on Lap 35 put in place because of a weather delay due to rain.

Hamlin entered the race second in points, 122 behind Reddick.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Denny Hamlin penalized at start of NASCAR Nashville race for jumping start