USA Today via Reuters
Aug 28, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) stands by his car during prerace festivities before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 28, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) stands by his car during prerace festivities before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Naturally, Denny Hamlin wasn’t particularly happy with what William Byron did to him under caution. Now, whether Byron deserves a penalty or not, is a story for another day.
But Hamlin’s reaction certainly indicates that regardless of any penalty NASCAR gives the Hendrick Motorsports driver, he will deliver justice for himself in a way only he knows.
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Speaking about this incident in a post-race interview, Hamlin said he feels its okay for drivers to “just wreck each other under caution” casually.
“I tried to wreck him back. I don’t think we touched. I’ve got to look. I don’t think we touched. Obviously, he sent us through the infield under caution,” he continued.
When asked about a conversation with the #24 driver, the veteran said, “I keep hearing these guys, but I’ll just add it to the list of guys when I get a chance they’re going to get it.”
.@dennyhamlin shares his thoughts on the incidents with @WilliamByron Sunday. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/YMb6ZbbFup
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 26, 2022
However, Hamlin’s comments didn’t sit exactly well with a part of NASCAR fans. Because the part in question called the #11 driver out for forgetting his own past and for simply complaining too much.
I have never seen big cry baby! Y'all are so Jealous of @TeamHendrick Drivers.
Threatening should be a crime @NASCAR This driver and few others is why I have lost interest in Nascar. @TeamHendrick keeps @NASCAR Alive!— Barbara I Wadsworth (@BarbaraLWadswo1) September 26, 2022
Denny isn't going to do anything. Anytime a driver says they will do something they end up doing nothing.
— ScottyChrysForever33 (@ScottyStyles33) September 26, 2022
Hamlin is such a hypocrite, he does whatever he wants and expects no one to react to it. Then he threatens retaliation against everyone and @NASCAR does nothing about it. He should be watched and black flagged for any obvious intentional contact,
— Daniel Williams (@DanielW1960) September 26, 2022
Boo hoo hoo 😢 😞
Always crying and complaining 🙃 🙄— 2️⃣ YANDY DIAZ 💪🏽 1️⃣7️⃣ ISAAC PAREDES FAN ❤ (@JENNWREN6197) September 26, 2022
Denny Hamlin is the guy that will complain and retaliate then do the same exact thing and get upset when people retaliate against him. It doesn't go both ways. You do the same thing, expect the same retaliation. He isn't innocent.
— Zach (@ZachRRichardson) September 26, 2022
Dude cries when anyone races him. But yet once again. Under caution under caution speeds Denny tries to use his car as a weapon. When is nascar going to penalize him for that
— David (@dparish83) September 26, 2022
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What did William Byron say about spinning Denny Hamlin out?
In his post-race interview, William Byron took the high road and stood his ground for what he did to Denny Hamlin. The young HMS driver insisted that the Joe Gibbs Racing man ran him out of the track, because of which he made “really hard contact” with the wall.
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And while Byron says he understands close contact racing is part of the sport, what Hamlin did to him was “pretty massive.”
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, is seen on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
As for what he ended up doing to Hamlin as a form of retaliation, William Byron claimed he didn’t mean to spin out the veteran.
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“That definitely wasn’t what I intended to do. I meant to bump him a little bit and show my displeasure and unfortunately, it happened the way it did. Obviously, when he was spinning out, I was like ‘I didn’t mean to do this,’ but I was definitely frustrated,” he added.
