Hamlin discusses the fan reaction to his altercation with Chase Elliott at Martinsville Speedway
Last year, Martinsville Speedway brought the short track racing crowd to their feet. A race for the lead resulted in a car in the wall.
A rivalry was born as Hamlin out the bumper to Chase Elliott in the closing laps at Martinsville Speedway. It created a buzz in the NASCAR world that last for more than a few weeks.
Earlier in the weekend, Elliott reflected on the incident. Now, Hamlin also relives and reflects on the previous show at Martinsville.
Have your thoughts on the incident changed at all since that night?
“It was a mistake on my part and I’ve moved on from it. We’ve raced each other quite a bit over the course of this year and everything’s been fine,” Denny Hamlin states from the Martinsville Speedway media center.
“It all just kinda unraveled our chance to make the final four. That part of it’s frustrating. It was so long ago. My focus has already shifted to this season.”
The crowd erupted that night at Martinsville Speedway. Cheers for Chase Elliott and boo’s for Denny Hamlin. He was boo’d out of his home race track.
Were you surprised with the reaction of the crowd?
“Those types of incidents have happened for a long time, in the course of NASCAR history. By a lot of different people.”
“I think it really had a lot to do with the people in play. Maybe if the shoe was on the other foot and it was the other way around, it probably would have been cheers, I don’t know.”
“It’s part of short track racing. Obviously, it gets used a lot for promo’s. Thank goodness this isn’t Texas Motor Speedway or we’d have a boxing ring or something sitting outside.”
“It’s just part of short track racing, it always has been. It was bad to be a part of it on that particular night.”
Denny Hamlin will start 6th today at Martinsville Speedway. This one is a home race for the NASCAR veteran driver.
Denny Hamlin comments on the incident with Chase Elliott
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Links
Chase Elliott | Denny Hamlin | Martinsville Speedway | NASCAR
