“They Said Themselves This Was a Racing Incident” – Salty Denny Hamlin Calls Out NASCAR’s Hypocrisy After Appeal to Overturn His Penalty Was Refused

When the appeals board announced they’d be making no changes to the penalty of Denny Hamlin, it made many people skeptical. In the last few weeks, there have been a lot of penalties issued by NASCAR and a lot of appeals being made with some of those appeals, resulting in a modified penalty or, in other words, a less harsh sentence.

But that wasn’t the case for Hamlin.

His appeals hearing kept his $50,000 and 25 points penalty to what it was before he walked into that hearing. And Hamlin had a few thoughts about what happened.

Denny Hamlin on the hypocrisy of the appeals board based on their own rulebook

Speaking in a recent ‘Emergency’ episode of his podcast show, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin read out the statement he made in the appeals hearing. At one point in this statement, the veteran driver tackled the subject of race manipulation.

“As far as race manipulation is concerned, this is untrue. I mentioned first and foremost in my podcast that my intention was to get the best finish for my team that I could. That was the first statement I said when addressing this situation,” he said. “If you listen to the next sentence I say, I’m speaking of my opening statement now is, ‘I turn the wheel left and my car went dead straight.’ So what happened on that last restart was hard racing between two competitors with a history.”

“That’s what it was. It was hard, aggressive driving as defined in their rulebook.”

Hamlin then read out the quote in their rulebook, which essentially said, “We understand that NASCAR is a physical sport and we understand that aggressive driving happens.”

“And sometimes contact happens during that aggressive driving. We will rule as such during the event that there should be no further penalty. That’s in their rule book. That’s their definition.”

WATCH THIS STORY: “Nothing Has Changed” – Denny Hamlin & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Break Their Silence as NASCAR Drops a Massive Bombshell

Hamlin doesn’t think he deserved what he got

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Hamlin claimed what happened with Chastain in Phoenix was him “playing into the rivalry that NASCAR itself promotes on a weekly basis.” He described how he reached out to NASCAR on Tuesday as soon as he smelled trouble brewing against him.

“I said, ‘If they had any questions to please give me a call to about what actually happened.’ I never heard anything back until I had a fine and a point penalty. I asked them did they give me the penalty because of my actions on the track or my words,” he recalled. “They said, ‘Your words.'”

The #11 driver argued what happened “is just not right.” He claimed he has proof that his actions weren’t out of line, which NASCAR would’ve found out if they had done a proper investigation.

“I do not believe I should’ve had championship points or a monetary fine for what happened on the racetrack,” Hamlin continued. “They said themselves this was a racing incident which is the same sentiment that my competitors who benefit from my penalty are saying – It was a racing incident.”

“Please consider this appeal and use facts and data to reverse this decision by NASCAR.” 

But of course, it didn’t happen.

Also Read: “Manipulated the Finish” – After Shocking Penalty Verdict, Denny Hamlin Relies on the “Intent” Defense While Disclosing NASCAR’s Official Charges Against Him