NASCAR has been buzzing with controversy after Chase Elliott was suspended for one race following his collision with Denny Hamlin during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The incident occurred when both drivers were racing side-by-side, and Hamlin squeezed Elliott, causing him to brush the wall. In response, Elliott swerved left and collided with the rear of Hamlin’s car, sending him crashing into the outside wall.
The collision resulted in both cars being heavily damaged, with Hamlin’s car being totaled and Elliott’s beyond repair. As a result, Elliott will miss the upcoming Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway and return at Sonoma Raceway. This suspension marks the seventh race Elliott will miss this season, following a previous injury sustained during a snowboarding accident.
And when it felt like the dust had settled on this, the #11 driver who got the worst of the exchange at Charlotte came out with his take on the situation.
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Denny Hamlin’s Recent Comments Spark Controversy
During his podcast, “Actions Detrimental,” Denny Hamlin further ignited the controversy with a comment that added fuel to the fire. In an interesting twist, he quoted NASCAR commentator Mike Joy, who, while criticizing the drivers, referred to the fans as “keyboard warriors.”
Responding to his critics, Hamlin said, “Let’s go, Keyboard Warriors, as Mike Joy says.”
“Well, you fenced Chastain. Yeah, sh*t, I rubbed him against the wall. Didn’t involve anybody else, didn’t even take him out. Didn’t cause not a bit of damage to his car.”
“Right rear hooking someone at 180 at Charlotte in the dogleg is not the same, so don’t come at me with that sh*t.”
DH doesn't want to hear that "he did the same thing to Ross" 🙅♂️
Watch the full clip from Actions Detrimental with @dennyhamlin here: https://t.co/D74o6dR5z4 pic.twitter.com/pWRi6sGH98
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) May 30, 2023
As you may already know, in a separate incident at Phoenix Raceway, Denny Hamlin admitted to intentionally fencing Ross Chastain toward the end of the NASCAR Cup Series race. This act resulted in Hamlin receiving a fine and a driver points penalty. However, Hamlin argues that his actions towards Chastain were different from the collision with Elliott.
He claims that the incident with Chastain didn’t involve anyone else and didn’t cause any damage to Chastain’s car which allowed him to continue the race compared to Hamlin who had a DNF.
Hamlin justifies his move by highlighting the specific circumstances and location of the incident, stating that “right rear hooking someone at 180 at Charlotte in the dogleg is not the same.” However, this comment only added to the already heated debate surrounding his altercation with Elliott.
A big hit for Denny Hamlin. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Ss1FEqGYiJ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 29, 2023
Hamlin’s attempt to differentiate the two incidents raises questions about the nature of payback in NASCAR and whether certain actions can be deemed more acceptable than others. These incidents further fuel the ongoing discussions about racing etiquette, sportsmanship, and the line between acceptable aggression and dangerous behavior on the track.
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After the race, Hamlin expressed his frustration, claiming that Elliott’s actions were intentional and unacceptable. As per yahoo.com, he stated, “I got right-rear hooked in the middle of the straightaway. It’s a tantrum, and he shouldn’t be racing next week. Right rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable.” Hamlin compared the incident to a similar one involving Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson, where Wallace was suspended for intentionally wrecking Larson during the Las Vegas race last year.
In response to Hamlin’s comments, Elliott denied any intent behind his actions, attributing the collision to being forced into the wall by Hamlin. He explained, “The 11 ran us up in the fence there, and once you tear the right sides off these things, it’s kind of over.”
“Once you hit the wall in these things, you can’t drive them anymore. Just an unfortunate circumstance.”
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Chase Elliott on what happened. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/OfxqSqdCaX
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 29, 2023
The NASCAR series has granted Hendrick Motorsports a waiver for Elliott to be eligible for the playoffs despite missing multiple races this season. However, due to his absences, it is highly unlikely that Elliott will rank in the top 16 in points to qualify for the playoffs based on points alone. Hendrick Motorsports plans to submit another formal request for a playoff waiver following Elliott’s suspension.
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As things stand, NASCAR fans eagerly await the return of Chase Elliott after his one-race suspension. With tensions running high, the upcoming races promise to be filled with intensity, drama, and, most importantly, thrilling competition.