In the aftermath of a dramatic NASCAR weekend at Talladega, Kevin Harvick delivered candid remarks regarding Scott Graves’ decision to call out Denny Hamlin on social media following the costly wreck. Shortly after Sunday’s race, which saw Chris Buescher’s day end abruptly, Graves—Buescher’s crew chief—did not hold back, posting direct criticism aimed squarely at Hamlin and drawing swift reactions throughout the racing world. Harvick addressed the situation on his Happy Hour show, highlighting Graves’ frustration and adding his own perspective to a growing storm of opinions following the high-stakes crash.
As tensions soared, Harvick analyzed the heated exchange, clearly drawing lines between the drivers and their respective camps. “We saw [Buescher’s] crew chief go after Denny Hamlin after the race on Twitter,” Kevin Harvick commented, referencing the pointed and public nature of Graves’ remarks. “Had a nice little post that I’m sure we can put up to go along with everything that happened with the wreck. But he was none too pleased with Denny Hamlin and the results of the 20 [Christopher Bell] crashing him and sending the 17 [Buescher] to the wall.”
The incident at the center of the controversy took place during the opening stage of the race, a moment that shifted the outcome for several top drivers. As the field bunched up on a restart, Hamlin’s aggressive push drafting triggered a chain reaction involving Bell and Buescher, leaving Buescher’s crew scrambling as their shot at victory disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Losing control so early in such a crucial event, the No. 17 team’s frustration was both visible on the track and online.
Scott Graves’ social media post, now spreading rapidly among NASCAR circles, perfectly captured the bitter disappointment felt by those who invest countless hours behind the scenes. “This team works so hard every week, had our driver in position for the end of stage 1, and the guys that would consider themselves some of the best drivers in the world can’t even get through a restart,” Graves wrote, directly calling out Hamlin’s reputation and sponsorship with a biting question. “I see why you have an insurance sponsor [Denny Hamlin], can I file a claim?”
The intensity reached another level when Denny Hamlin responded on his Actions Detrimental podcast, taking responsibility but also expressing confusion over how the wreck unfolded so quickly. “Fu*king racing, I don’t know,” Hamlin said, detailing his typical approach to push drafting in such situations. “We were running 177 mph is what it said. So, we’re not even up to speed. I have forever when I’m the fourth car in line pushing or inside, I always push the car all the way until Turn 3 after a restart and I have done that forever and it’s never been a problem. It just spun out the 20 [Bell].”
Hamlin’s insistence that he was “barely there” on Bell’s bumper, coupled with his admission—“It’s on me”—did little to cool the fallout. Kevin Harvick’s analysis underscored just how volatile these restarts can be, especially with emotions running so high for teams chasing precious points and marquee wins. The remarks from Graves, amplified through Harvick’s platform, reflect a broader frustration with how aggressive maneuvers can backfire and cost hardworking teams everything in an instant.
Looking ahead, this contentious moment has reignited debates about driver responsibility and fairness in NASCAR, casting a shadow of doubt over aggressive restart strategies and pushing both rule-makers and teams to reexamine their approach. For Kevin Harvick, whose experience and insight carry significant weight in the sport, these comments serve as a powerful reminder of just how quickly fortunes can change on race day, leaving lingering questions and new tensions as the series pushes forward.
