NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr crashes into Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin after the finish at Richmond Raceway
On Sunday, NASCAR took the green flag at Richmond Raceway. The short track ended in an overtime finish with drama between teammates.
Watch the Richmond Raceway video below.
With 2 laps to go, Martin Truex Jr was heading to victory lane as he led Joey Logano by 0.6 seconds. However, Larson got loose off turn four and Bubba Wallace got into his bumper, sending Larson for a spin.
The caution was thrown, sending the race into an overtime finish. Larson was able to keep his car rolling through the grass and he only lost 2 positions.
All the leaders pitted for tires. Larson would restart 4th after Wallace had a slow pit stop. Hamlin won the race to the pit exit.
On the green, Truex Jr pinched Hamlin, forcing him into a narrow entry in turn one. Hamlin ran Truex Jr wide off turn two. Hamlin took over the race from there as Truex Jr had steam shooting out of his helmet.
With 1 to go, Logano worked under Truex Jr for 2nd. Larson attempted to follow him through. Larson and Truex Jr ran side by side for 3rd off turn two.
As they rolled down the backstretch, Truex Jr turned left running into the door of Larson in frustration. Larson then elected to drive it deep into turn three.
As they exited turn four heading to the checkered, Larson ran Truex Jr wide and into the wall. Larson won the battle to the line as smoke billowed from the contact.
After crossing the finish line, Truex Jr turned hard left. He ran into the door of Larson once again.
Truex Jr was done showing his displeasure. He caught the race winner and teammate, Denny Hamlin drilling him in the rear bumper, several times.
“Man, Martin’s mad at everybody. I didn’t see what Denny Hamlin did wrong,” Kevin Harvick stated.
Richmond Results: March 31, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Martin Truex Jr comments
“Just got beat out of the pits,” Martin Truex Jr told Fox Sports after the race.
“[Hamlin] jumped the start and then just used me up in turn one. So, I don’t know. Definitely sucks but a good solid day.”
“We’ll just have to come back next week and try to get them again.”
Kyle Larson comments
“I was a little loose, then I got finished off there,” Larson stated of the incident with Bubba Wallace.
“It kinda just worked out. We restarted 4th, then gained one more. I will take a 3rd after what could have been a lot worse.”
“I think he was just mad,” Larson said of the contact with Truex Jr.
“He was mad that the No. 11 used him up on the restart. That’s probably where it really started from. Then, the No. 22 got to his inside. I got in behind the No. 22 and he just turned left to cross my nose. He had me on the apron off of two.”
“I don’t know if he thought that I just piled it in there. But, he door slammed me down the backstretch.”
“I just figured in [turns] 3 and 4, I was going to use him up a little bit. I think he was more mad at Denny but I was the closest one to take his anger out on.”
“Martin is probably the most respected guy in the garage area. I was surprised when he turned left on me down the backstretch. Then again after the checkered.”
“It’s all good. I hope he doesn’t have any hard feelings with me because I definitely don’t toward him. I got a lot of respect for him.”
NASCAR fine pending as driver throws bumper at car (Video)
Martin Truex Jr retaliates on Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson at Richmond Raceway (Video)
Links
Martin Truex Jr | Denny Hamlin | Kyle Larson | Richmond Raceway | NASCAR
