The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series kicked off with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, culminating in a dramatic finish where Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, seized victory in a bold last-lap move. While this marked a huge milestone for both Reddick and the Toyota-backed team, controversy erupted post-race as Denny Hamlin blasted Brad Keselowski’s criticisms, amplifying tensions across the garage. The phrase “Denny Hamlin blasts Brad Keselowski” quickly began trending among fans and pundits.
As the dust settled on the chaotic closing laps, Brad Keselowski, serving as both owner and driver of RFK Racing, voiced strong frustration over an incident involving Riley Herbst. Keselowski angrily suggested that a late-race crash by Herbst had robbed him of a potential win, asserting that his aggressive push at the end gave him a legitimate shot at overtaking the leaders.
Keselowski’s Perspective: A Missed Opportunity
Reflecting the intense competition, Keselowski described his experience with evident disappointment after being caught up in the final-lap mayhem. He blamed Riley Herbst for what he perceived as a senseless block that resulted in a crash.
“The 35 [Herbst] just wrecked me out of nowhere for no reason, That was one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. He had no chance of blocking my run. I had a huge run — I don’t know if I could have gotten to the 45, but I would have liked to have found out because my run was coming fast and the 35 just wrecked us and himself. Pretty stupid.”
– Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Owner-Driver
Keselowski insisted that his momentum was building at exactly the right moment before the wreck, and voiced certainty that without interference, he could have been a contender for the top spot. His comments fueled post-race debate as he openly questioned Herbst’s decision-making and highlighted what he believed was a significant lost chance at Daytona glory.
Denny Hamlin Responds: Challenging the Narrative
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a seasoned driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, addressed Keselowski’s claims on his podcast, pushing back against the idea that Brad was denied a realistic shot at victory. Hamlin used his platform to carefully analyze the final sprint to the checkered flag, casting doubt on Keselowski’s version of events and the probability of the No. 6 Ford getting ahead.
“The six (Keselowski) was not getting there. We’re living in a fairytale land if people think that the six was actually going to get all the way there. I don’t think so.”
– Denny Hamlin, 23XI Co-Owner (via Actions Detrimental podcast)
Hamlin offered precise details, mentioning both the speed and positioning advantages held by the leading cars as the race approached its conclusion. In his assessment, Brad Keselowski simply was not close enough nor carrying the required pace to overtake Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota before crossing the finish line, regardless of the incident with Herbst.
“The six is running 192 miles per hour. The 45 (Reddick) is running 188.5 at the same point on the race track. He’s probably at this time four car lengths behind with 200 yards to go. Somewhere in there, there’s a math equation. …I think he would have gotten beside the nine (Chase Elliott), like right there where the nine was, but he wasn’t going to get all the way there.”
– Denny Hamlin, 23XI Co-Owner
By breaking down the critical details, Hamlin pointed out that while Keselowski may have been able to challenge Chase Elliott, overtaking Tyler Reddick appeared implausible given the speed differentials and track positioning in those final moments.
Celebrating Redemption and Strategic Brilliance
Amid the debate, Hamlin also reflected on the triumph of his own team, focusing on Reddick’s clutch performance and resilience under pressure. The win was a breakthrough for both Tyler Reddick and Toyota, as it marked their first ever Daytona 500 victory, highlighting the importance of teamwork and race strategy at the season opener.
“It’s great. It certainly makes up for the sting of the race. The day was more good than bad. … They told me when I crossed the line. … The first thing I was thinking was, ‘I wonder how that happened?’ … He created a run. He created a run, and I looked at how he got that run through [Turns] 3 and 4, and I was very proud. I was very, very proud.”
– Denny Hamlin, 23XI Co-Owner
Hamlin made it clear that Reddick’s daring move in partnership with Riley Herbst was instrumental to the victory and underscored his pride in the young driver’s ability to seize the opportunity. The Daytona 500 win was not just redemption for past disappointments, but a testament to the ongoing evolution of 23XI Racing under Hamlin’s guidance.
Examining the Fallout and Season Ahead
The aftermath of the Daytona 500 has sparked significant discourse among drivers, owners, and fans, with Denny Hamlin’s sharp rebuttals to Brad Keselowski setting the tone for what could be a tense and competitive NASCAR season. For Tyler Reddick, the pressure is now on to carry momentum from his career-defining victory into the rest of the 2026 campaign.
The ongoing rivalry between long-standing veterans and younger team leaders like Reddick will likely shape headlines as the season progresses. RFK Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and 23XI Racing all emerge from Daytona with much to prove and plenty of motivation fueled by the drama at the finish line. The next events in the Cup Series will test whether this fiery start translates into lasting storylines and further memorable clashes between top contenders.
