Hear from the NASCAR drivers after the incident at Pocono Raceway
Update: Denny Hamlin disqualified after NASCAR win at Pocono Raceway
On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Drama unfolded as Denny Hamlin initiated payback on Ross Chastain. The incident has been brewing for several months.
Watch the Denny Hamlin vs Ross Chastain video below.
In early June, Ross Chastain pushed Denny Hamlin into turn one at WWT Raceway. Hamlin was shoved up the banking and into the wall. Hamlin’s car was damaged but he re-entered the track to add a headache for Chastain.
Every time Chastain went to lap Hamlin at WWT Raceway, the No. 11 car would block the No. 1. He didn’t crash him as he was saving it for a later date.
After the race, Chastain took full blame for the contact.
Hamlin said after WWT Raceway, “We’ve all learned the hard way. And, we’ve all had it come back around on us, it will be no different.”
Chastain stated after WWT Raceway, “I owe half the field an apology. Words aren’t going to fix it. So, I’ll have to pay for it on the track and almost did today. I deserve everything that they do.”
Ross Chastain vs Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott at WWT Raceway (Video)
Atlanta incident
A month later, Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain were racing inside the top 5 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chastain got loose under Hamlin. He chased his car up the banking and clipped Hamlin in the left rear, spinning him around.
After the race, Hamlin again hinted at payback.
Hamlin said after Atlanta, “Things just work themselves out, in the end. We certainly aren’t cutting any breaks, going forward.”
Ross Chastain crashes Denny Hamlin at Atlanta (Video)
Denny Hamlin crashes Ross Chastain in payback at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin started from the pole position. However, on the first lap he brushes the outside wall and fell to 5th.
With 23 laps to go, Ross Chastain led as Hamlin ran 2nd. Behind them, Ryan Blaney spun off turn three and slammed the inside wall.
Hamlin and Chastain restarted on the front row with just 18 laps to go. The two drivers ran near even into turn one. Chastain made sure to give him plenty of room but Hamlin cashed his ticket.
As they exited turn one, Hamlin ran Chastain wide. Chastain bounced off the wall then collected Kevin Harvick. Chastain slammed the inside wall and he was done for the day.
Denny Hamlin went on to win at Pocono Raceway.
Pocono Race Results: July 24, 2022 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Ross Chastain comments
“I think that’s something that’s been owed to me for a few months now,” Ross Chastain told NBC after exiting the infield care center.
“I’m proud of the effort by Trackhouse. It’s week in week out, we keep bringing fast Camaros. Another fast one and we’ll be back at Indy.”
Chastain was asked if he thought that was retalliation.
“I’ve been owed that and probably a few more for a few months now. So, yeah.”
Chastain was then asked if he thought the score was selected.
“I don’t know,” Chastain concluded with a laugh.
Denny Hamlin comments on the incident with Ross Chastain at Pocono Raceway
Hamlin exited his car on the front stretch to a wave of boos from the crowd. His daughter came to his side with tears in her eyes.
“What did you expect me to do,” Hamlin asked.
“You know, we got position on him and he just ran out of race track,” Hamlin said with a smile.
Hamlin was asked if his feud was over.
“We’re just going to keep racing hard. Until we get the respect back from these guys. It’s not just that, we’ve been wrecked four times, twice while leading, in the last 10 months. And, I’m just at the end of it.”
“I hear more cheers than boos,” Hamlin concluded.
Update: Denny Hamlin disqualified after NASCAR win at Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin vs Ross Chastain
Pocono Raceway
Video
Links
Ross Chastain | Denny Hamlin | Pocono Raceway | Atlanta Motor Speedway | WWT Raceway | NASCAR
