“Hamlin Precedent” Forces Ryan Preece to Backtrack as NASCAR World Goes Crazy Over Kyle Larson Incident

There were many who were wondering what good can come out of the recent Denny Hamlin penalty saga. But if they look at Ryan Preece, they’ll realize just how much the whole situation of Hamlin’s actions turning detrimental to him has affected everyone else in the Cup Series paddock.

Well, almost everyone.

The thing is, Ryan Preece and Kyle Larson made contact multiple times during the recent dirt race at Bristol, with two particular moments in Stage 1 and Stage 3 being notable. As Larson made contact with Preece earlier in the race, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver chimed on his radio saying, “You know what I’m sick of?

“Excuses. From now on, it’s just game over.”

This led to one of his team members echoing his statement with, “I agree, I like it. There’s gotta be a repercussion for things or people are gonna continue to do it, right?”

And then of course, in the last stage of the race, Preece and Larson had another incident that ended the latter’s day.

However, what the #41 driver said after the race is where things get a little interesting and the impact or the after-effects of Hamlin’s penalty saga comes to the surface.

Ryan Preece explains his “game over” comments about Kyle Larson

In a post-race interview, when asked about his Stage 3 incident with Kyle Larson, Preece admitted he isn’t a dirt racing driver, that he, someone who runs the bottom, tried running the top.

“When you’re trying—I know he was making speed up top; I tried moving up there. We were too loose,” Preece explained. “Ultimately, I still agree that a lot of people are going to stand their ground. By no means was that intentional. I was just trying to get all I could.”

Responding to Bob Pockrass’s question about his “game over” comment, Preece explained, “I think you just get mad of getting run into the fence. There is no meaning, it’s just from inside that racecar you’re like, ‘I’m not gonna lift.’

“When it comes to being run into the fence, you can’t.”

He added how every time a fellow driver catches you lifting, “they’re just gonna keep running you up into the fence.”

As for what he meant by his “game over” remark, Preece clarified, “I think when I meant game over, I meant just not gonna keep lifting and giving that respect of, ‘Hey, I’ll give you this room.’

“It comes down to that.” 

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NASCAR fans call out the Denny Hamlin aspect of Ryan Preece’s comments

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Given Preece’s clarifications and explanations on what happened with Kyle Larson, NASCAR fans couldn’t help but connect this to Hamlin as they wondered if Preece was being defensive and playing it safe in fear of landing in the same situation as the #11 driver.

With that, are you also of the opinion that Denny Hamlin’s penalty has led to NASCAR drivers playing it safe in their media interactions? If so, is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: “It’s Their Sandbox” – Denny Hamlin Scrutinizes Hendrick Motorsports While Unveiling the “Unanimous Sentiment” Against Rick Hendrick’s Team