Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR Chicago caution after voicing his frustration over race control’s slow reaction to an incident in the latest NASCAR Cup Series event at the Chicago Street Circuit. Hamlin, who represents Joe Gibbs Racing, questioned the officiating during his Actions Detrimental podcast just days following his top-five finish in the Grant Park 165 race.
The controversy emerged on Lap 74, when Cody Ware crashed into a tire barrier at Turn 6 of the 2.2-mile, 12-turn Chicago track while traveling at 93 miles per hour in the Rick Ware Racing No. 51 car. Despite the severity of the accident, the broadcast failed to capture the full impact, and NASCAR did not issue an immediate caution. Instead, it took nearly 35 seconds before race officials paused the competition, during which time eventual winner Shane van Gisbergen had already taken the white flag, signaling one lap to go.
Hamlin’s Critique of NASCAR’s Race Control
Denny Hamlin’s remarks zeroed in on NASCAR’s handling of the incident. He voiced his disbelief at the lack of urgency, especially considering that Cody Ware had called for help over the radio following his crash. As reported by Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, NASCAR officials apparently hoped Ware would extricate himself from the car, similar to how Kyle Larson managed after a previous incident, instead of immediately intervening.
“They’re saying they didn’t see how big the hit was. That… I don’t understand that. You were not doing your job as officiating if you don’t see.”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Hamlin insisted that simply noting a car’s location after a wreck is not enough, underscoring the importance of actively monitoring every detail during high-speed races.
“It’s one thing to look over and say,”
Oh, there’s a car over there.
“You got to know how they got there!”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Fortunately for Ware, the incident did not result in injuries. However, the crash marked his fifth DNF of the 2025 season, finishing 26th at Chicago and sitting 36th in the standings, still searching for his first top-10 finish this year.
Hamlin Overcomes Adversity on Road Courses
Before the Chicago event, Denny Hamlin’s record on street and road circuits had been underwhelming, managing only a single top-10 finish in 18 previous attempts. This had led many to speculate about an ongoing string of poor luck for the Florida native on such tracks.
Despite these challenges, Hamlin broke through with a strong drive to gain fourth place at the Grant Park 165. His achievement was particularly notable given that his car suffered a major setback in practice—a blown engine. The Joe Gibbs Racing team scrambled to complete an engine swap before the race, forcing Hamlin to start from the rear of the field.
Facing adversity, Hamlin shared details of his approach in his post-race interview, crediting his strategy and pace for the result.
“Well, I was saving the entire run and still able to run excellent lap times,”
Denny Hamlin told Marty Snider (2:17).
“Truthfully, I felt pretty good all day. We marched forward all day long. The car had pace in it—that’s key to getting a good finish.”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
“Once I was able to get towards the front, I could save and take it easy on the tires. I would’ve loved to be on equal terms to see how far off I was from those two guys, but it just didn’t seem like that much,”
he added. —Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Looking Ahead to Sonoma and Beyond
Denny Hamlin’s focus now shifts to the upcoming Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, scheduled for July 13. With momentum from his Chicago performance and insights into NASCAR’s officiating decisions, Hamlin and his team will aim for strong results as the season continues. Fans can follow the Sonoma event live on TNT Sports starting at 3:30 pm ET, or tune in through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for race coverage.
The incident in Chicago could spark further conversation within NASCAR circles about official protocols and on-track safety responses, especially involving high-speed accidents. As the season progresses, the scrutiny on race control may intensify, with drivers like Hamlin continuing to advocate for improvements in decision-making to ensure safety and competitive integrity.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he has had an impressive career. He has won 51 Cup Series races and secured first place in the Daytona 500 three times (2016, 2019, and 2020), earning millions of dollars.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Last year, 23XI and Front Row took legal action against NASCAR because they didn’t agree to new charter renewals. They requested a temporary order to identify them as chartered teams for the current season. However, on Thursday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with NASCAR.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. He has built a huge empire valued at $65 million through his career earnings, sponsorships, team ownership, and real estate ventures. Hamlin’s Wealth Breakdown: ✔ Huge NASCAR earnings from race victories and agreements. ✔ Long-term sponsorships with companies such as FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. How Hamlin Built His Fortune: ✔ Earned a lot from NASCAR race winnings and deals. ✔ Secured long-term sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. ✔ Became a business partner with Michael Jordan by co-owning 23XI Racing, expanding his career beyond racing.
