The Talladega NASCAR Cup Series race this past weekend erupted in controversy after Ross Chastain made a highly debated block that has left fans and drivers on edge. Denny Hamlin, who found himself affected by the maneuver, wasted no time in calling for official intervention, arguing that Chastain’s tactics endangered the field and crossed a critical line in competitive racing.
Hamlin spoke out about the situation on the Actions Detrimental podcast, voicing his frustration and pushing NASCAR to take action.
I’m a little frustrated by it because I’ve seen it getting a little bit out of control and I would like to see something said about the unsafe merging that the drivers are doing intentionally to block oncoming cars that are approaching him,
Hamlin explained. His concern centered around drivers, particularly Ross Chastain, making abrupt, dangerous moves to defend their position even before they were fully up to speed, while the main pack closed in at far higher velocities.
The incident at Talladega took place as Hamlin and his Toyota teammates were preparing to make a strategic run around much of the field. Just as momentum began to shift, Ross Chastain executed his now infamous block, dramatically altering the race‘s dynamics and turning the anticipated finish into a tense showdown between Ford and Chevrolet. The move, while not technically illegal, raised immediate questions about its safety and the precedent it sets within NASCAR racing.
Reflecting post-race, Hamlin was candid in his assessment to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, saying,
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. The variance of speed there was crazy.
Hamlin’s choice of words underscores the palpable frustration throughout the paddock and the charged atmosphere that followed the race.
Further stoking the fire, Hamlin questioned the consistency of NASCAR’s enforcement, urging that if drivers can be penalized with a black flag for forcing others below the yellow line, similar measures should apply to dangerous blocking at high speeds.
Why can’t we stop the guy that is swerving at 150 miles per hour when the pack is coming at 190, who’s trying to cause a wreck?
Hamlin challenged, implying that officials must revisit their protocols before more chaos ensues.
The repercussions at Talladega were immediate for both drivers. Hamlin finished a disappointing P21, breaking his streak of four top-five finishes, while Ross Chastain crossed the line in P20 after earning three consecutive top-10 results in previous races. The controversy reignites ongoing debates about aggressive racecraft and safety in NASCAR, with many now waiting to see if the organization will respond to calls for greater regulation, or if bold moves like Chastain’s will remain part of the high-stakes spectacle.
