When two of motorsport’s bigwigs lock horns on the circuit, it is a clash of the titans, producing jaw-dropping theatrics and heart-stopping drama. And the same thing happened at the adrenaline-pumping Pocono Raceway, where racing rivals Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson engaged in a showdown destined to be etched in racing folklore.
Amidst the tempest of investigation and fiery debates surrounding the epic showdown, a formidable historical voice has now emerged from the shadows. Enter the 1999 Cup Champion, a true racing sage who took it upon himself to dissect the pivotal moment with an unbiased eye. In doing so, he unearthed a potential chink in Kyle Larson’s armor while exonerating Denny Hamlin from any hint of malfeasance.
Was it a mere slip of judgment on Kyle Larson’s part that caused his unfortunate wreck?
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While Denny Hamlin faces a barrage of criticism from spectators, crew chiefs, and teams alike, there’s a glimmer of support rising to the NASCAR champion’s cause.
First, we had Joe Gibbs, the team owner, who took to Twitter to stand firmly behind his prized driver. And now, enter Dale Jarrett, the 1999 Cup Champ, stepping up to bat for Denny Hamlin. He’s got a whole book of wisdom to share, revealing that such incidents are par for the course on the racetrack. And when drivers get caught in the crossfire, complaining becomes part of the game.
According to Jarrett, it’s a real-life chess match out there on the asphalt, with each driver making strategic moves: “I understand his point, and sometimes this is just racing, you know, to put blame and fault here, one driver is going to say one thing. I understand Kyle Larson being upset, but you know, the door was kind of open, as Denny said, and Larson might have made a slight mistake there.”
Dale Jarrett’s backing was two-fold. Firstly, he firmly believed Denny Hamlin is not one to be blamed, maybe even buying into Hamlin’s “aero-bubble” theory. Secondly, he suggested that Larson left enough room for Hamlin to make his move, resulting in the unfortunate wreck against the outer wall.
Further, Jarrett tantalized NASCAR fans with the prospect that this might only be a taste of the thrilling action they can expect in the postseason. However, it’s worth noting that not all NASCAR legends would concur with Jarrett’s stance. In fact, many have openly expressed their disapproval of Denny Hamlin’s on-track tactics.
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The former NASCAR driver takes a swing at Hamlin, accusing him of playing the victim card
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While some may argue that it’s all par for the course in a typical NASCAR race, where drivers seize any chance to drive past their opponents while on track, there’s another school of thought that firmly believes you can’t imperil other drivers’ races simply to forge ahead.
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And well, it’s quite certain that the former stock car driver, Kyle Petty, has firmly aligned with the latter viewpoint. In NBC’s post-race show, he pulled no punches, pointing out that Hamlin was wrong and his victim-playing act was far from admirable. Petty exclaimed, “Denny can’t be the victim! We played his radio; he was the victim, and he puts himself in the victim position. You’re not the victim here, Denny Hamlin.”
'@KylePetty didn't appreciate Denny Hamlin's move on Kyle Larson, or his radio communication after. 👀 pic.twitter.com/IX631bxLMj
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 24, 2023
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Moreover, Kyle Petty showed support for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, opining that Kyle Larson seemed genuinely incensed after the Pocono race, which is a rarity in itself. While Pocono Raceway’s track may have been at the epicenter of controversies, for spectators, it was an exhilarating experience to behold, leaving them yearning for more races like this. And let’s not forget, the lion’s share of credit goes to Denny Hamlin, who leaves no stone unturned in captivating his audience, even if that entails donning the role of the villain.