Drivers handled the rainy business at Richmond Raceway easily with Goodyear’s reliable wet-weather tires. However, controversy broke out in the ending laps among the leading contenders for the trophy. As the stage seemed set for a final-lap showdown between Martin Truex Jr and Joey Logano, another racer squeezed his head into the scene: Denny Hamlin.

Joe Gibbs Racing drivers seemed poised to dominate Richmond, and they lived up to expectations. However, little did anybody suspect that the top Richmond winner at JGR would trump his teammate. The conditions also seemed fishy, as fans ridiculed NASCAR’s decision to show the green light to Hamlin’s win.

Denny Hamlin cements his reputation as a black hat

Veteran driver Martin Truex Jr was looking to snag a victory and put an end to a drab streak that has continued since New Hampshire Motor Speedway last year. He stayed true to his ambitions, dominating more than half of the Toyota 400 Owners race. But the final caution caused by Wallace and Larson’s wreck overturned his fortunes.

While MTJ and Joey Logano pitted for fresh tires, Denny Hamlin did the same. But the former two failed to keep up with the latter’s tremendous speed. The teams of both Logano and Truex took 10+ seconds. While Hamlin’s super-efficient crew took 9 seconds before Hamlin cruised off for his second-season victory.

Yet it looked like Denny Hamlin was too quick. As per the footage, it seemed like Hamlin hit the gas way too early during the restart. Yet Elton Sawyer, NASCAR Vice President of Competition, said: “We reviewed, we looked at it. Obviously, [Denny Hamlin] was the control vehicle. It was awful close, but we deemed it to be a good restart.” The Athletic reporter Jordan Bianchi also updated the same on X.

But racing fandom stormed into a debate on the matter, snuffing out NASCAR’s claims about Denny Hamlin’s ‘OK’ restart. ““Ok” because it’d be bad for business otherwise. Release the SMT data then. If it was “OK”, then that shouldn’t be a problem.” Another fan equipped on similar lines: “Sure. If it’s okay then there is zero reason to not release the SMT data then. Hell how about have Denny release it himself”. 

One fan commented on the ‘bad for business’ factor. “Nascar has received the Toyota payment and deemed everything ok”. Another fan took a cruel dig at Toyota. “AND TOYOTA WINS THE TOYOTA CIRCLE JERK 400 BROUGHT TO YOU BY TOYOTA”. 

The victim of Denny Hamlin’s rushed tactics went out of his way to vent his anger.

MTJ trumpeted his frustration in many ways

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Martin Truex Jr first brought up the issue in a post-race interview. He said: “[Denny Hamlin] jumped the start and then just used me up in Turn 1.” To express his anger, he door-banged 3rd-place finisher Kyle Larson on the final lap. Then he got a chance to unload his frustration on his prime target when he repeatedly ran into Hamlin’s bumper after the checkered flag flew.

Kyle Larson took note of the situation and recognized why Truex was unhappy. “He was just mad. He was mad that the 11 used him up on the restart. That’s probably where it really started from. Then the 22 got to his inside in turns 1 and 2, and I got in behind the 22.” He further said: “I think he was more mad at Denny but I was the closest one to take his anger out on.”

Despite Martin Truex Jr’s simmering temper towards Denny Hamlin’s antics, the two may settle soon as they work closely in Joe Gibbs Racing.

Read More: Joe Gibbs Unfazed by Martin Truex Jr’s Aggressive Retaliation After Denny Hamlin Steals His Victory at Richmond