Kyle Petty and Denny Hamlin have not exactly been friends. Since 2007, the two Cup Series drivers have shared a tense relationship that started when Hamlin ran into the rear of Petty’s lapped car in Dover. Upset by the incident, an angry Petty leaned into the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s car and slapped his helmet while expressing his frustrations.
However, even though the two have tried to remain cordial since then, a few rare occurrences have at times brought their dislike for each other to the forefront.
Like back in 2021, when Kyle Petty, who is also a NASCAR analyst, suggested Hamlin and other JGR veterans be worried about their job security. Or maybe even before that in 2013 when Hamlin publically tweeted ‘Kyle Petty is a moron.’
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Kyle Petty’s Take on Chase Elliott After Squashing Beef With Denny Hamlin Upset HMS Fans
In 2021, Hamlin admitted that the two of them addressed the past beef during a conversation about acquiring the #45 charter for his Michael Jordan co-owned Cup team 23XI Racing. And now, after Sunday’s race at Charlotte, Petty seems to agree with his former enemy and new friend – ruffling the feathers of some Chase Elliott fans.
More from Denny Hamlin on whether he was nervous asking Kyle Petty about wanting to use the 45 next year. I wondered because I don’t think Hamlin and Petty are besties. pic.twitter.com/iEBTfE4S6T
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 28, 2021
During the race at Charlotte, Chase Elliott apparently right-hooked Denny Hamlin, spinning him off and sending him crashing into the wall. Upset by the incident, Hamlin demanded a strict penalty for Elliott. Citing how his 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was suspended for a similar action last season, a frustrated Hamlin said that Elliott should not be racing next week.
And surprisingly, agreeing with Hamlin, Kyle Petty tweeted, “In answer to all the “nice” tweets I received after yesterday’s race…one race does not change my opinion and I agree with @dennyhamlin if it was good enough for Bubba (suspension) it’s good enough for Chase. Have a nice day!”
In answer to all the “nice” tweets I received after yesterday’s race…one race does not change my opinion and I agree with @dennyhamlin if it was good enough for Bubba (suspension) it’s good enough for Chase. Have a nice day!
— Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) May 30, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: “Such a Detrimental Performance”—Denny Hamlin Reveals the Ugly “Mess” Bubba Wallace Got Caught Up In
Chase Elliott Fans React to Kyle Petty’s Tweet
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After an angry Denny Hamlin shared his views in a post-race interview, several Chase Elliott fans defended their favorite driver. Claiming that Elliott lost control of his vehicle when Hamlin pushed him into the inside wall, some others suggested that Brad Keselowski made contact with Elliott, who then lost control and ran into Hamlin.
And displaying their continued support for the HMS driver, a fan wrote below Petty’s tweet, “Maybe you need to watch a few more close up like from the number 6 car.”
Whereas another one said, “Intent to harm during and after race didn’t happen.”
One Twitter user argued, “So are we gonna start suspending every driver for retaliation, or for wrecking another driver? So now nascar caters to Hamlin right lol. Nascar has involved into something else you’d think after 75 years they would get better at what they do.”
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“Dude, I’m a big fan of yours but Hamlin is using his podcast to spew his hate for the the sport that has supported him for over 20yrs, he has run 2 hendrick cars in the wall in the last 3 weeks, imagine the podcast if that was ,his cars wrecked, remember what he did to Ross?”
“No way”
Looks like everyone has their own set of theories. NASCAR has suspended Elliott for right-hooking Hamlin and reportedly, Corey LaJoie will be substituting for him in the #9.
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