Hall of Famer Reveals How Denny Hamlin’s Scandal Could Save What Chase Elliott Was Ruining

The Highpoint 400 was everything that fans wanted it to be: thrilling, dramatic, and controversial. While Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin picked up his second win of the season, the controversialist sparked a fan war after he led Kyle Larson into the wall in the closing laps of the race.

As Hamlin claimed his 50th career win at the 2.5-mile technical track, Larson fell from being a race leader to end the race in an awful 20th spot. Obviously, the veteran’s move garnered serious criticism from the community, including from his teammate, Martin Truex Jr. However, not everyone shares the same opinion. NASCAR’s 1999 Winston Cup champ believes this new development is certain to captivate the community as we head to the playoffs, something Chase Elliott, failed to do following his return to the series.

Dale Jarrett strongly believes Denny Hamlin’s Pocono move proved beneficial for the sport

Last week’s race at Pocono was dramatic and anti-climatic. While it was Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin who stole the limelight with his controversial move against his friend and Hendrick Motorsports driver, Kyle Larson, Enraged by his late tussle with the #5 driver, the crowd doubled down on Hamlin, booing and flipping him the bird, vividly expressing their displeasure.

While some fans were seemingly frustrated with the veteran’s appalling move, under the surface, things may become beneficial for NASCAR as we head to the playoffs. Unlike its golden boy and Larson’s HMS teammate, Chase Elliott, who failed miserably to capture the community’s imagination, The latest fiasco offers an intriguing storyline with plenty of drama, something fans love and crave.

Despite NASCAR’s marketing spree to project Chase Elliott, celebrating his return after a 6 race gap owing to his unfortunate accident early this year in March, things did not brighten up as the #9 driver failed to deliver the hype he promised. While the HMS ace is still chasing his first win of the season, his HMS teammate, Larson has had 3 wins and a dramatic spill with his friend, Hamlin giving the NASCAR fandom their fair share of entertainment and quenching their insatiable thirst for drama.

Speaking on NBC’s discussion, NBC analyst and 3-time Daytona winner, Dale Jarrett elaborated on how the recent stunt between the driver will play out great for the organization. Though the veteran champ doesn’t know this stint will pan out, he is certain that this will be a great storyline to bet on.

Dale said, “I dont know what’s going to come from this but it is certainly setting this up for the playoffs to be probably more exciting than we might have anticipated this year being because I think this is just kind of a foreshadowing of what we have to come in the playoffs with 2 of the drivers that we know could be a part of the championship 4 in Phoenix.” 

READ MORE: “I Will Be Shocked” – Fans Snub Massive Kyle Larson Announcement on Indy 500 for Monotony

Before concluding his take, DJ also mentioned how the #5 driver might have made a mistake, citing how things have unfolded.

“Talk is cheap”, says Jarrett, supporting Denny Hamlin, citing Larson’s mistake

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Joining senior NASCAR journalist Nate Ryan and pit reporter Dave Burns was the 1999 Winston Cup champion, Dale Jarrett. While the veteran did not expect such a conclusion at the fast-flowing 2.5-mile Superspeedway, he mentioned how Hamlin’s act has become his standout move. saying, “Well, I think Denny certainly proved that he has this move stand out really well for him, the last couple of times there.”

“You know this is such a situation we dont really think about Pocono as that you know contact track because you’re going at such a high rate of speed but you know I understand both drivers’ frustration in the situation,” said the veteran. With so much going on in the last race, Hamlin looked to have reignited his feud with the #48 driver Alex Bowman but it was his stint with Larson that caught the attention of the fandom. 

Though the Hall of Famer understands Larson’s frustration with his friend, Hamlin, the veteran mentions how Larson might have misjudged and made a mistake.

He said, “I understand Kyle Larson being upset but you know the door was kind of open as Denny said there and you know Larson might have made a slight mistake there but I understand his frustration and that the way Denny handled the situation from there, you hear the drivers talk you know, talk is cheap.”

Do you think Larson will have his revenge this week at Richmond or will karma get the best out of Hamlin?