Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR safety decision after a late-race crash in the Chicago Street Race on July 7, 2025, arguing the organization failed to prioritize driver well-being with its sluggish response. Tension erupted across fans, drivers, and NASCAR insiders, with Hamlin and many others calling attention to repeated lapses in race-day safety calls.
NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Marred by Controversy
The recent Grant Park 165 race in Chicago was filled with interruptions and incidents, testing drivers’ skills and officials’ judgment alike. Early in the event, Carson Hocevar lost control on one of the narrowest sections, triggering a multi-car collision only four laps after the green flag. The urban circuit, unique among NASCAR’s venues with its twelve-turn, 2.2-mile layout, proved especially challenging for participants and race organizers.
Through a day of chaos, Denny Hamlin managed a fourth-place finish, but the final moments of the competition left him and others unsettled. A major point of contention arose during the closing laps, overshadowing what should have been a triumphant showcase for Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen.
Wreck in Turn 6 Sparks Immediate Backlash
The pivotal incident occurred on lap 74, when Cody Ware’s No. 51 ford/”>Ford struck a tire barrier at high speed, clocked at about 93 MPH, in Turn 6. Given the complex street layout and the limitations faced by TNT Sports’ broadcasting cameras, NASCAR officials initially claimed difficulty in immediately assessing the full extent of the wreck. However, as fan-shot footage quickly circulated on social media, criticism surged over the delayed response—NASCAR waited 35 seconds before waving the caution flag.
The tension intensified when Ware’s faint radio call for help came to light. Fans and drivers alike accused race officials of endangering the participants by not reacting more promptly. Many felt these practices left too much to chance, ignoring hard lessons from decades of professional racing.
This sport has been around for 75 years, and you can’t have designated officials for each turn/area of the track. Wow… be better.
—Fan, Reaction on Social Media
Denny Hamlin Strongly Condemns NASCAR’s Decision
On his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, Denny Hamlin offered unreserved criticism of the way the incident was handled, asserting the caution flag should have been thrown the moment Ware crashed:
No question about it. That was a massive hit, you have got to throw the caution immediately.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin considered additional factors, such as the threat of rain and lightning delays, but remained steadfast in his position that driver safety must be the absolute priority:
The fair winner was SVG, and yes, if we get into a green-white-checkered flag, you could have a lot of issues. I think, regardless of what they tell you, rain coming in, the possibility of lightning, all that played into a factor, in my opinion.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
When co-host Jared Allen suggested that officials may have delayed the caution to see the race complete before a weather delay, Hamlin rejected such motives, pointing out that this would run counter to public statements—even if cynicism persists within the NASCAR community.
This is not the first time such controversy has erupted over late calls; similar patterns surfaced during last year’s Xfinity event at the Charlotte Roval when Leland Honeyman’s crash was met with a delayed response, only triggering the yellow just before Parker Kligerman claimed the white flag.
Aftermath for Cody Ware and Driver Safety in Focus
The good news was that Cody Ware emerged from the infield care center unharmed, a relief for his Rick Ware Racing team and fans. Despite the serious nature of the crash, Ware shifted attention to the overall trajectory of his performance, reflecting both disappointment and a measure of hope for the future:
Super frustrating because it’s not been the best year for us. So being able to show up here, me not having run this race the past two times, and feeling like we had a good pace in the car, heartbreaking. But I think it’s still a day that we can build off of, especially going into another road course race next weekend with Sonoma. So hopefully we can take our notebook from this weekend and build on it for next weekend.
—Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Driver
Ware, whose NASCAR career boasts just two top-ten finishes and one top-five result, had been quietly moving toward a potential top-fifteen spot in the Chicago race before the wreck derailed his progress. Having previously found more success in series such as the Asian Le Mans Series—where he won the LMP2 Am championship in 2019-2020—and earning Rookie of the Year honors in the 2014 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Ware remains optimistic about building on recent momentum, but the crash remains a stark reminder of the unpredictable hazards drivers face.
Spotlight on Recurring Safety Debates in NASCAR
The reaction to the delayed caution brought forth a wider discussion within the sport, with fans and drivers drawing parallels to other controversial moments in recent years. Instances such as the intense fallout after Ross Chastain’s past races, vocal outbursts from Joey Logano, and confrontations between drivers like Chase Elliott and Katherine Legge all reflect a turbulent environment where competition and tempers run high, but where procedural clarity is sometimes lacking.
Critics argue that inconsistencies in officiating—especially around safety decisions—undermine confidence in NASCAR’s leadership, particularly on urban road courses like Chicago Street Course and storied events held at venues such as Charlotte Roval and Sonoma.
What This Means for NASCAR and Its Future Standards
The Chicago controversy has reignited demands for NASCAR to overhaul its safety response protocols and improve real-time monitoring across complex street and road circuits. As high-profile names like Denny Hamlin, Shane van Gisbergen, and Cody Ware call for greater accountability and prompt action, NASCAR faces renewed scrutiny heading into upcoming events. The community, including fans and racing experts, expects the organization to address these contentious lapses, not only to protect competitors like Ware, Hocevar, and others, but to preserve the integrity and credibility hard-won over 75 years of racing tradition.
The aftermath of Grant Park 165 places added pressure on NASCAR to prioritize safety above competitive or broadcast concerns. How officials implement lessons learned from this episode—starting with the next road course race at Sonoma—may shape driver confidence and public trust for seasons to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started his full-time Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. Since then, he has become a well-known driver. Hamlin has won 51 Cup Series races and celebrated three Daytona 500 wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020. He has also earned millions throughout his career.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Last year, 23XI and Front Row took legal action against NASCAR because they didn’t agree with the new charter renewal deals. They wanted a temporary order to be considered chartered teams for this season. However, on Thursday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, decided in favor of NASCAR instead.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. He has accumulated a fortune of $65 million through his career earnings, brand endorsements, owning a team, and real estate investments.
Key factors contributing to Hamlin’s wealth include: ✔ Substantial earnings from NASCAR race winnings and contracts. ✔ Long-lasting sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. How Hamlin Built His Wealth: ✔ Earned large sums from NASCAR race prizes and contracts. ✔ Had long-term sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. ✔ Co-owned 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, making him a businessman in addition to a racer.
