“That’s Not My MO… We All Make Mistakes” – Denny Hamlin Clears the Air on Infamous Chase Elliott Fiasco

Denny Hamlin recently hit back at Ross Chastain during Sunday’s race at the Phoenix Raceway after being at the losing end on several occasions last season. Recently, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver opened up about the incident, claiming the move to be an act of retaliation. Moreover, while sharing how the incident could help the two drivers move on from their back-and-forth jabs, Denny Hamlin also cleared the air about his infamous run-in with Chase Elliott during the 2017 playoffs race at Martinsville Speedway.

Nearly five years ago, Denny Hamlin had made a late-race contact with Elliott that saw the leading Hendrick Motorsports driver hitting the wall. Now, Hamlin spoke about the incident and took accountability for his role during the unfortunate incident involving Elliott.

Denny Hamlin opens up about the Chase Elliott wreck

During the latest edition of the Actions Detrimental podcast, co-host Jared Allen asked Denny Hamlin about what he would have done if he encountered Ross Chastain in the lead at Martinsville with two laps to go. The #11 Toyota driver reckoned that he would race hard against Chastain as he would do against any other drivers on the track in search of a win. 

Further, Hamlin continued, “Again, It’s hard for me to say as I’m looking at a picture of me spinning Chase Elliot out right above your head. I don’t. That’s not my MO. I did it once. That was not on purpose either by the way. I just flat-out made a mistake. I drove in, he checked up super early. And I just got into his bumper and I didn’t let go.”

The three-time Daytona 500 winner accepted that the incident that led to Chase Elliott possibly missing out on a playoff win in Martinsville was his mistake. Moreover, Denny Hamlin pointed out that he just expected Eliiott’s car to slide off the track. Unfortunately, the 2020 Cup Series Champ spun out and went straight into the wall. However, Hamlin took the responsibility for the incident.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin Slams Ross Chastain & NASCAR Community’s Misconception: “I Don’t Know Why He’d Wonder What I Thought About the Clash”

Hamlin said, “It was in a vulnerable spot and he spun out. That’s not on him, that’s on me. That was my fault. I even, in my post-race with Chase, took accountability. He says, of course, it, you know didn’t make the corner, had his back wheels up off the ground, right? But, we all make mistakes and we all can do better.”

Hamlin hopes to own his mistakes

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Denny Hamlin reckoned that he was on a path of taking accountability for his mistakes. Moreover, the 42-year-old suggested that many people would argue that de did not own his mistakes during the last 18 years of his career.

Hamlin stated, “Of course, there were times when I didn’t. But, from this point on, I’m gonna try to be accountable for myself.” While reiterating the Chastain incident, the NASCAR veteran said that he made a “dumb mistake” that cost his team big time. But at the end of it, he hopes to move on and do better in the future.

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