The conclusion of the Daytona 500 sparked intense debate as the Riley Herbst Daytona 500 incident resulted in a late-race crash, provoking outrage from fans and drivers alike. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and team owner to Herbst, challenged common criticism of Herbst’s move in public statements, fueling a passionate response throughout the racing community.
Late Surge at Daytona Ends in Controversy
In the final moments of last Sunday’s Daytona 500, Riley Herbst, racing for 23XI, moved right in front of RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, hoping for a final push to the lead. The attempt backfired as Keselowski’s momentum was too strong and Herbst’s move came too late, leading to a collision that let Tyler Reddick escape unscathed to claim the win. The consensus among fans and analysts was that Herbst’s maneuver was not only mistimed but reckless, with many considering it a rookie error in judgment. Despite the backlash, Hamlin voiced a differing perspective soon after.
Hamlin’s Defense of Herbst Stirs Emotions
On his podcast, Hamlin staunchly defended his driver, analyzing the sequence and putting forth a version of events that diverged sharply from popular opinion. He argued,
“Coming to the line, Riley is coming up really fast to the No. 9 [Chase Elliott]. Instead of hitting him, and probably then, shooting him past the No. 45 [Tyler Reddick], he hits the brake to not hit him. He says, ‘I don’t wanna touch him. So, I am gonna go high.’ That slowing in momentum allowed the No. 6 [Keselowski] to get there. The No. 6 was not getting there. We are living in fairy tale land if people think the No. 6 was gonna get there.”
— Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing Owner.
Immediately, Hamlin’s viewpoint was challenged by his co-host, Jared Allen, who pointed out the actual momentum sustained by Keselowski during the incident. Significant portions of the NASCAR fanbase echoed Allen’s skepticism and criticized Hamlin’s apparent partiality, especially in regard to drivers associated with his own 23XI team or with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
NASCAR Community Reacts: Outrage and Accusations of Bias
Anger and disbelief rippled through the fan community, as listeners found Hamlin’s remarks unconvincing. One poster voiced their frustration, stating,
“This is definitely one of his worst takes. He’s just coping, though. He wants to believe Reddick would’ve won either way when that definitely isn’t objectively true lol.”
— Jeff Bluck-Gianchi, NASCAR Fan.
Another emphasized Hamlin’s perceived bias, suggesting,
“I like ‘Actions Detrimental’, but man it seems Denny is incapable of being objective with anything regarding 23XI or JGR. ‘The 6 was NOT getting there. We’re living in fairy tail land if anybody thinks the 6 was getting there.’ Even Jared called him on it..”
— Jeff Bluck-Gianchi, NASCAR Fan.
As more voices joined the debate, criticisms grew sharper. Some fans dismissed Hamlin’s reasoning outright, with comments like,
“This is absolutely nothing new from this guy lol.”
At the same time, others described his perspective as,
“Denny’s view is highly improbable and very skewed. Needs to view Letarte & McMurray’s Inside the Race on YouTube.”
Statements such as “Denny’s gotta Denny…” became a refrain among disappointed followers, highlighting disillusionment as much as anger.
Driver Responses Intensify the Fallout
Riley Herbst addressed the crash in a post-race interview, defending his actions and asserting that he aimed for a bold finish alongside Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick. Herbst insisted he did not know what specifically caused the accident, believing the difference came down to a “matter of inches.”
Brad Keselowski, who was directly affected by the crash, offered a visibly frustrated reaction, saying,
“Oh, the [No.] 35 [Herbst] just wrecked me out of nowhere for no reason. That was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen. He had no chance of blocking my run. Pretty stupid.”
— Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Driver. Keselowski’s anger mirrored the mood of the wider NASCAR paddock.
Looking Forward: Will Hamlin Clarify His Stance?
While Hamlin’s statements have sparked a wave of negative feedback, many in the NASCAR world are waiting to see if he will address the controversy and clarify his perspective in future podcast episodes. Herbst was ultimately credited with an eighth-place finish, while Keselowski took fifth. The tension within the community remains unresolved as drivers and fans prepare for the upcoming Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta.
This Riley Herbst Daytona 500 incident has highlighted not just the high stakes of NASCAR’s most famous race but also the emotional volatility and divided loyalties that define the sport. With debates about objectivity and team allegiance intensifying, all eyes will be on Hamlin, Herbst, and their rivals as the season continues.
This is definitely one of his worst takes. He’s just coping though. He wants to believe Reddick would’ve won either way when that definitely isn’t objectively true lol
— Emil Borchert (@EmilBorchert) February 17, 2026
I like ‘Actions Detrimental’, but man it seems Denny is incapable of being objective with anything regarding 23XI or JGR.
“The 6 was NOT getting there. We’re living in fairy tail land if anybody thinks the 6 was getting there.”
😑😒
Even Jared called him on it..cc @keselowski pic.twitter.com/jOQQJy2pRi
— Jeff Bluck-Gianchi (@Jeff_Bluck) February 16, 2026
