Denny Hamlin expressed strong disapproval over a strategic maneuver executed by Ross Chastain during Sunday’s race at Talladega. Chastain’s swerve disrupted a tight formation of Toyotas and Spire Motorsports cars, leading to a contentious moment that placed him ahead of his friend and agency client, Carson Hocevar. In the heat of the moment, Hamlin, visibly frustrated, vocalized his dissatisfaction post-race.
“I didn’t know how far up we were actually going to be able to get, but certainly the 1 [Ross Chastain], you know, making a move there to kinda wreck us is not ideal, but I mean, he’s trying to do everything he can to stop the run,”
Hamlin told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
“The variance of speed there was crazy.”
Taking time to reflect, Hamlin’s frustration persisted, motivating him to address it further on his weekly podcast. He suggested that in a reversed situation, Chastain might have collided with him intentionally. Hamlin elaborated, questioning the tactics employed, terming it as “bullshit racing,” where one might need to hold their ground and risk causing a wreck without self-harm.
“It’ll be hard to do, but at some point, I’ve gotten caught in wrecks and finished so horribly lately on these superspeedways, it’s like, what do I care?”
he confessed.
“At this point, just cram it in there and say, ‘Sorry, it was your fault, not mine.’”
The tension following this incident accentuates the high-stakes nature of professional racing, where split-second choices can shape outcomes significantly. Hamlin’s candid remarks underscore the emotional and strategic complexity present at these high-speed events. Observers now watch to see how this contentious interaction will influence future races, as drivers like Ross Chastain continue to push the limits in pursuit of victory.
