Denny Hamlin’s race strategy at the Roval, a pivotal focus in the NASCAR Playoffs, has triggered widespread discussion about the possibility of intentional race manipulation, with his moves and post-race remarks raising eyebrows among fans and insiders alike. After the race, Hamlin expressed that he would have acted in his own best interest if he had known the specific points situation concerning Ross Chastain and Joey Logano, two key drivers vying for advancement.
Hamlin’s Post-Race Comments Ignite Debate
Following a high-stakes Roval finish, Hamlin made comments suggesting that an understanding of the points battle between Chastain and Logano could have influenced his end-of-race tactics. Rather than frustration, Hamlin communicated a wish for more detailed knowledge during the race, hinting he might have adopted a different approach if he had been fully informed.
This ambiguity opened the door to intense debate, particularly as motorsports reporters like Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, both covering the event for The Athletic, dissected Hamlin’s statements and actions. The spotlight quickly turned to whether Hamlin held back intentionally, possibly to influence which drivers would progress in the Playoffs.
Race Dynamics and the Manipulation Accusations
On the podcast The Teardown, Jordan Bianchi described the dramatic sequence in which Hamlin’s car, the No. 11, was catching Ross Chastain’s No. 1, but then appeared to slow down instead of overtaking. Bianchi explained,
“So, let’s start with this, there is a bunch of cars with new tires that were catching Chastain, and they blew by him,”
Jordan Bianchi, Motorsports Reporter. He then raised questions about Hamlin’s apparent decision to ease off when he closed in on Chastain, referencing feedback from others in the NASCAR paddock.
The speculation intensified when Paul Wolfe, crew chief for Logano’s No. 22 car, added his voice after the race. Wolfe’s frustration was evident in the radio chatter, as he claimed,
“And on the radio of the 22, you could hear radio transmission going, ‘He’s not going to pass him, he’s not going to pass him! This is race manipulation!’ Paul Woflfe said this after the race. I asked him about it. I said, ‘Did you think this?’ He said, ‘He obviously didn’t want to pass him. They’re scared of us. Like, literally. They do not want us to advance, they’re scared of us.’ So, the thought was, did Denny really back off to let Ross Chastain go forward because he wants Chastain to go on, not Logano?”
Paul Woflfe, Crew Chief for Joey Logano.
Differing Interpretations of Hamlin’s Intentions
The debate extended to the core of Hamlin’s remarks, as Jeff Gluck commented on the multiple possible meanings behind Hamlin’s post-race statements. Gluck noted uncertainty, especially regarding whether Hamlin was simply trying to secure a better qualifying position, or if he was making a deliberate choice to favor Chastain’s advancement over Logano’s. Gluck said,
“Well, again, I’m a little bit murky on that because what’s also best for him, because he referenced either on TV or in the scrum interview that one of the media members posted, that he was trying to get a better qualifying metric, and that’s what he was racing so hard for,”
Jeff Gluck, Motorsports Reporter. He pointed out that Hamlin’s incident resulted in a lower finish, reducing his possible points tally by five spots.
The persistent question was whether Hamlin’s strategy was designed to limit damage to his own playoff prospects by finishing higher, or if the real aim was to prevent Joey Logano, a proven contender with championships and recent success at both Las Vegas and Phoenix, from advancing. Gluck added,
“So, that cost him five spots, I guess, being taken out. So, is he saying, what would have been best for him would is not being taken out and finishing five spots higher to help his cause, is that what’s best for him? Or is he saying what’s best for me is Logano not being in it. … Somebody said, well, Logano, and he said, well, the 1 has more speed than the 22.”
Jeff Gluck, Motorsports Reporter.
The Stakes: Chastain, Logano, and the Playoff Picture
The strategic implications go beyond just Hamlin’s own prospects. Ross Chastain, cited as having more speed than Logano in this event, was positioned as Hamlin’s potential preferred rival. In contrast, Joey Logano’s track record—three championships and multiple Las Vegas victories—marks him as a formidable obstacle should he reach the final rounds.
This context underlines why every on-track decision is scrutinized for playoff ramifications. The potential for manipulation, whether real or perceived, generates significant tension and casts a shadow over the authenticity of the battling on the circuit. With the stakes heightened by the nascent rivalry and ambitions of drivers like Denny Hamlin and the established success of veterans like Joey Logano, the NASCAR Playoffs are set to remain a battleground marked by strategic gambits and divided opinions.
As the series shifts toward Las Vegas and Phoenix, all eyes will be on how future Denny Hamlin race strategy choices influence both his own progression and the fate of rivals such as Ross Chastain and Joey Logano, with the shadow of race manipulation debates looming large over the sport.
