In a twist that sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, the 2022 Pocono raceway saw Denny Hamlin cross the finish line first, only to have his victory snatched away due to a violation of rules. The feeling of victory quickly turned into a devastating blow for Denny Hamlin when he was informed that his triumph was nullified.
To add fuel to the fire, a video of his muted celebration resurfaced in July 2023, reigniting the controversy.
As Chase Elliott was the one who was declared the rightful winner, his fans took to the comment box to express their dismay, questioning Hamlin’s integrity and raising doubts about his championship aspirations.
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NASCAR Strips Denny Hamlin of His 2022 Pocono Win
After the 2022 Pocono win, Denny Hamlin was basking in the glory of his apparent victory. However, little did he know that the celebration would be short-lived.
NASCAR, in a firm display of its commitment to upholding the rules and regulations, acted swiftly and decisively. Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry came under scrutiny. And upon inspection, an illegal piece of tape was present on the car’s nose. Although this impermissible substance may not have aided the car’s performance around Pocono’s unique triangle turns, but it did ultimately cost Hamlin his win.
The new era of NASCAR, with the introduction of the Next Gen, emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to rule violations. Despite warnings and lessons from the past, some racers chose to push the boundaries. Hamlin’s case, though seemingly small in comparison to historic “cheat-ups,” highlights the critical role that even minute violations can play in today’s highly competitive landscape. The foreign object was hiding under the car’s vinyl wrap. The members of NASCAR could not detect it during the pre-race inspection, but they saw it afterward, leading to Hamlin’s disqualification.
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As the video of Denny Hamlin’s deflated celebrations resurfaced, fans of Chase Elliott couldn’t resist voicing their discontent. Twitter became a battleground of emotions, with fans expressing their frustration and questioning Hamlin’s credibility as a racer.
Mood: @dennyhamlin after getting disqualified last year at Pocono. 🍾 🦅 pic.twitter.com/qORyyJejVp
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 20, 2023
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One fan, seeking a sense of justice, questioned, “Where’s his Championship tho?” With the Pocono win taken away due to a rule violation, doubts arose about Hamlin’s overall performance and his ability to earn a championship title.
Another fan, obviously suspicious, commented, “Cheat Hamlin… Check the SMT data.” The desire for transparency and integrity in the sport led fans to demand a thorough investigation into Hamlin’s actions, seeking assurance that such incidents would not taint the competitive spirit of NASCAR.
A passionate supporter of Chase Elliott remarked, “Suck it, Hamlin!!! Chase Elliott’s Team deserved it more because they didn’t cheat for that race.” Another fan wrote, “Damn, how you gonna drink Mr. Elliott’s champagne like that?” Fans were quick to rally behind Elliott, praising his team’s adherence to the rules and expressing solidarity with the rightful winner.
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As the green flag waves and the engines roar to life, the NASCAR world will find itself on the edge of its seat, witnessing a battle of epic proportions. The 2022 Pocono race may have ended with disqualification drama, but the real story has just begun. Will any racer dare to break any rule in the future? Will anyone modify any part of their racing car, seeing what has happened with Denny Hamlin? Only time will tell. So buckle up because NASCAR never disappoints you with surprises!