Birmingham, AL -- (Sports Network) - Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin was released from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital Monday morning after being held overnight for observation.

While holding the lead midway through Sunday's Amp Energy 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, Hamlin blew a right-front tire and smacked the wall hard. He was awake and alert after the accident but was transported to the hospital for further observation.

Hamlin, the driver of the No.11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is now last in the 12-driver championship "Chase" standings, 335 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.