(Video) Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney wrecks out in a wild first lap incident at Watkins Glen

Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney are disappointed over getting knocked out of the race on the first lap of Go Bowling at The Glen.

(Video) Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney wrecks out in a wild first lap incident at Watkins Glen

Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

The 2024 NASCAR Cup playoff R-16 was expected to be chaotic and the first two races hasn’t shown any signs of the claim being true. While the plate race at Atlanta saw at least a number of laps before the chaos started, at Watkins Glen the incident came in the very first lap of the Go Bowling at The Glen.

The incident featured playoff contender Denny Hamlin and the defending champion Ryan Blaney. The duo is in the dangerous zone with just the Bristol Motor Speedway race left in the round of 16. Kyle Busch and Corey LaJoei was the root of the first lap chaos. The No:7 and No:8 Chevy’s made contact, sending Busch spinning.

This collected multiple cars including Hamlin, Blaney, and Christopher Bell. While the other drivers got out of the scene without any significant issue, the No:12 Ford and No:11 Toyota had damages. The JGR crew was able to get Hamlin back on track and he went on to secure a P23 finish, almost similar to the last weeks’ result.

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Ryan Blaney on the other hand was forced to retire after NASCAR refused let him team repair the car and made him park. This left him furious about the situation and he even later called out NASCAR. With his championship defence on the line, he has to produce a mega performance next-week at Bristol.

Denny Hamlin is pretty confident about winning the race at Bristol

While talking about the crash in his post-race interview Hamlin took some blame to himself. He admitted that if not for him qualifying poor in the race, he wouldn’t have in that place of chaos and got caught up in others’ mess.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

But he is hopeful of a redemption as the next-weeks race will be hosted at Bristol. He admitted that with the return Oval where he has won previously and where the tire wear management will be a huge factor, there is a huge chance for him to secure the victory.

Yeah we’re going to a let-off oval, one where you gotta let off the gas...So, I feel like we should be pretty confident. I can’t think of the last time we haven’t had a race-winning car there.
Denny Hamlin said.

The JGR veteran was two points above the cutline coming into the race and now is six points below it. So, winning or finishing inside the top 3, while securing some stage points on the way, is the only way the No:11 team can make it to the R-12.