If you go on YouTube and search for “NASCAR fights,” you’ll find hundreds or maybe thousands of videos. There is everything – single incidents, compilations, and even full-on brawls. From the legendary 1979 Daytona 500 clash between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers to Jeff Gordon vs. Brad Keselowski at Texas, NASCAR’s history is filled with moments when tempers boiled over. That’s something why fans love NASCAR over other motorsports! It’s raw, and the emotions are unforgiving.

Short tracks like Martinsville, where space is tight and bumpers are weapons, have been the backdrop for some of the sport’s most intense feuds. Rivalries can escalate in seconds, turning post-race scenes into something straight out of a WWE match (minus the kayfabe). One such moment, in 2019, involved two drivers who never back down. On the giver’s end, we have from Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 154 pounds, driver and team co-owner Denny Hamlin. On the receiver’s end, from Middletown, Connecticut, weighing in at 180 pounds, 3X NASCAR championship winner Joey Logano.

What started as a heated on-track battle quickly spilled over into something much more personal.

The Joey Logano vs. Denny Hamlin showdown

Tempers flared at Martinsville Speedway’s Xfinity 500 when Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano reignited their long-standing rivalry following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race. The drama unfolded after an on-track incident on lap 458 of 500, where Hamlin pinched Logano into the wall off Turn 4, causing significant damage to Logano’s No. 22 car.

The contact resulted in a cut tire and a spin, effectively eliminating Logano from contention for the win. Despite recovering to finish eighth, Logano confronted Hamlin on pit road post-race, sparking a heated exchange that escalated into a physical altercation.

The confrontation began as a tense but civil discussion between the two drivers. However, it quickly took a turn when Logano shoved Hamlin and attempted to walk away. Hamlin, unwilling to let the shove go unanswered, chased after Logano, only to be restrained by Penske crew chief Todd Gordon.

The situation spiraled further when Dave Nichols Jr., a tire specialist for Team Penske, tackled Hamlin from behind, triggering an all-out brawl involving members from both teams. NASCAR later suspended Nichols for one week due to his actions during the fracas.

Hamlin did not hold back in his post-race comments, calling out Logano’s behavior. “He’s scared,” Hamlin said when asked by reporters about the altercation. “We were having a discussion and everything was civil, and then like Joey does, he does a little push in there. He said, ‘You want to go?’ I said, ‘Yes, I’m here.’ But then he runs away,” he further added. Hamlin also mocked Logano’s likely explanation for the incident, stating, “He would probably say, ‘ah…it’s short track racing.’”

Logano defended his actions but admitted that shoving Hamlin might have escalated the situation unnecessarily. He expressed frustration over Hamlin’s lack of apology for the on-track contact and said he simply wanted to hear Hamlin’s perspective. “I honestly just wanted to see what he was going to say, and he really wasn’t apologetic at all,” Logano explained. “Maybe I shouldn’t have shoved him at the end; it may have escalated it a little bit more.” Despite his frustrations, Logano emphasized that playoff pressure often leads to heightened emotions among drivers. However, this wasn’t the first time.

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Not the first and not the last

The rivalry between Hamlin and Logano is far from new. Dating back to 2013, their clashes have been marked by aggressive racing and fiery confrontations. One of their most infamous incidents occurred at Auto Club Speedway in 2013. A contact between the two left Hamlin with a fractured vertebra, sidelining him for several weeks. Their clash at Martinsville added another chapter to this storied feud. It highlighted how high-stakes and close-quarters racing at short tracks can reignite old tensions.

Their contentious dynamic has continued to evolve, with both drivers acknowledging the competitive fire that fuels their on-track battles. In a 2023 podcast, Hamlin reflected on their relationship. He noted that their rivalry stemmed from past incidents and competitive clashes, emphasizing the complex nature of their interactions. As long as both drivers remain contenders, the potential for future fireworks remains ever-present, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.​

For a comprehensive view of the 2019 Martinsville altercation, you can watch the extended coverage here.