Can the final results of Sunday’s race at Pocono be called a classic example of ‘resurrection’ for Denny Hamlin? The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has always had a bizarre relationship with the Tricky Triangle, and this was evident from the unexpected results of Sunday’s race, which is arguably marred by multiple controversies.

The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver went on to notch his 50th career Cup win, a victory that was long awaited, especially after being disqualified from last year’s race at Pocono. Hamlin had to relinquish his crown to Chase Elliott after his car failed to pass the post-race inspection. 

Although Denny Hamlin was able to clinch his 7th victory on Tricky Triangle, it seems that the driver has surely earned some criticism from the veteran crew chief of Hendrick Motorsports for making his winning pass.

The former HMS crew chief sympathizes with Kyle Larson

The incident that has been the talk of the town since the conclusion of the race happened between Kyle Larson and the JGR driver with just seven laps to go. It was the No. 5 Chevrolet driver who had been leading the race and soon found himself jockeying for the lead with Denny Hamlin.

And before Larson could decipher what was happening, Hamlin raced to the inside of the track and made the winning pass by banging doors with Larson, which eventually sent the car reeling to the outside wall. This incident brought an end to the HMS driver’s hope of winning another race this season.

The incident surely did not sit well among the insiders of Hendrick Motorsports as well as the fans. The veteran crew chief, Chad Knaus, heaved his displeasure with the turn of events.

In an interview with Frontstretch, Knaus expressed, “Yeah, it was unfortunate obviously the 5, had a good start, and the 11 drove it in there pretty far and then, unfortunately, slid up into the 5, and five got into the wall. It’s unfortunate those things happen, we will see what happens a little bit later.”

Watch this Story: Denny Hamlin Confesses Having A Disagreement With JGR Member After Falling Victim To HMS Star

Chad Knaus has some sharp words for Denny Hamlin

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The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was even showered with boos after his controversial win at Pocono. While the driver explained that he never made contact with Larson, fans, on the other hand, were far from being convinced by those words. Nevertheless, Chad Knaus seems to sympathize with Larson after his hopes of victory were completely shattered.

He said, “Yeah he was in a position to win that race and they have taken it away from him so, he knows what happened there and he knows he’s got good stuff and good equipment. We will keep charging forward and try to get better.”

Furthermore, when asked by the Frontstretch media journalist, “If Denny was an HMS driver what would you say to him?”

To this, the veteran replied, “Well, I don’t know about that. I don’t know, he is not so, we don’t have to worry about it.”

There is no doubt that the incident was surely disheartening for Kyle Larson, who had been rallying at the front of the grid, trying to hold on to his position. However, the nudge simply put an end to a spectacular finish as he ended 20th in the race.

Read More: “It Wasn’t Me”–Ross Chastain Throws Shade at Denny Hamlin as He Avoids the ‘Wreckage Spotlight’ at the Tricky Triangle