Denny Hamlin Slams Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson Post-Iowa
If there’s one thing we all know about Denny Hamlin, it’s that he rarely minces words. Whether he’s talking about the intricacies of tire strategies or straight-up calling out big names like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, Hamlin always finds a way to keep us watching. But this time, he’s got a bone to pick with NASCAR itself. Once again, Hamlin is asking the powers that be not just to sit there twiddling their thumbs as controversy swirls on the track. Shocking, right? A bit of drama in NASCAR? Who would’ve guessed?
His Feud with Chaos
Hamlin recently called out NASCAR after a wild sequence of cautions led to, yet again, wrecks and drama. If you think that sounds suspiciously like a Friday night soap opera, you’re not alone. Hamlin is pointing fingers directly at Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott for their roles in what he viewed as a race spiraling out of control. Sure, racing’s a contact sport, but according to Hamlin, what transpired goes beyond the usual “rubbin’ is racin’” antics.
He didn’t hold back, labeling the incidents as just plain reckless and urging NASCAR to step in before drivers take it upon themselves to sort things out. Honestly, who among us wouldn’t want to see someone throw a steering wheel in frustration during a post-race interview? However, Hamlin’s hoping NASCAR will show a bit of initiative first.
What’s Eating Denny Hamlin?
For anyone even remotely familiar with Denny Hamlin, his criticism of NASCAR isn’t exactly breaking news. Over the years, he’s become the unofficial spokesperson for “things that NASCAR should probably fix.” And while competitors like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are usually in the spotlight for their stellar driving skills, they’ve certainly dipped their toes into the controversy pool this year.
To Hamlin’s credit, though, his frustrations aren’t unfounded. NASCAR’s got a tricky balancing act on its hands between letting drivers battle it out for the sake of entertainment, ratings, and stepping in to ensure things don’t evolve into chaos. Given recent events, it seems like NASCAR might be leaning a little too close to the chaos side of the spectrum, at least from where Hamlin’s sitting.
Whether you’re a Denny Hamlin fan or someone who loves to hate him, you’ve got to admit the guy isn’t afraid to say what a lot of fans and drivers are probably thinking. NASCAR’s officiating has felt spotty at times, teetering between over-involvement and, well, non-existence.
NASCAR’s Silence Is Deafening Once Again
The real kicker? NASCAR’s response to Denny Hamlin’s complaints has been sheer silence so far. If there’s a press release sitting somewhere on a desk addressing the issues Hamlin’s raised, nobody’s seen it yet. You can bet Hamlin is noticing the silence, too. This isn’t just about the chaos in Iowa or grudge matches between drivers. It’s about what kind of precedent NASCAR is setting.
Because if the franchise can’t get a handle on what’s happening now, what’s stopping the on-track drama from escalating even further? At some point, the fans won’t be tuning in for the racing anymore. They’ll be showing up to see who’s throwing fists after getting spun out for the fifth time in a row. Just rename the league NASCAR Gladiators and call it a day. Until then, fans expect a little more control from the organization.
Will Hamlin’s Complaints Change Anything?
Denny Hamlin’s been on this soapbox before, and while it might stir up some chatter behind the scenes, there’s no guarantee NASCAR will actually do anything. After all, part of NASCAR’s appeal has always been its unpredictability, and taking things too far in either direction, as in super strict rules or no rules at all, could backfire.
Still, someone like Hamlin speaking out does carry weight. He’s not just some rookie throwing shade for attention, but rather, he’s a long-time veteran who knows the sport of racing inside and out. Whether or not you agree with him, it’s impossible to deny that his voice adds credibility to the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Love him or hate him, Denny Hamlin has done what he does best yet again, creating headlines, inciting debates, and calling NASCAR to action. Whether you side with Hamlin or lean more toward “boys, have at it” racing, his frustrations raise questions that NASCAR can’t afford to ignore forever. At some point, NASCAR has to decide what kind of league it wants to be and stop tiptoeing around when drivers like Larson and Elliott stir the pot. Until then, expect Denny Hamlin to keep doing what he does best—that is, racing hard on the track and stirring the pot off of it. You know, business as usual.
