Denny Hamlin SLAMS Austin Hill for Triggering Massive Multi-Car Wreck at Watkins Glen

NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin hits out at RCR's Austin Hill for causing a 16-car wreck in Watkins Glen.

Denny Hamlin SLAMS Austin Hill for Triggering Massive Multi-Car Wreck at Watkins Glen

Denny Hamlin and Austin Hill (images via IMAGO)

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Austin Hill is having a hard time in NASCAR. The RCR driver has triggered two major incidents in his last two races in the Xfinity Series. At Watkins Glena last weekend, Hill ended up causing a 16-car wreck. Now, JGR veteran Denny Hamlin has hit out at the Xfinity driver.

During the Watkins Glen race, Austin Hill was battling Michael McDowell for second place in the race. The high-speed track saw both cars going wheel-to-wheel. As Hill tried to make a move down the inside, he ended up clipping McDowell on the side, forcing him right into the wall. This led to a multi-car pile-up as drivers failed to avoid further trouble.

Denny Hamlin reckoned that Austin Hill should’ve lifted from the gas at the time of the incident, something that would’ve helped avoid chaos. Moreover, the JGR veteran made it clear that fans will no longer give him any benefit of the doubt.

After all, Hill was suspended for one race after his crash in Indianapolis. Hamlin tried his best to remain unbiased over the incident. However, the 23XI co-owner made it clear that there was no hiding from the fact that the RCR driver failed to take the situation into account. Essentially he caused the wreck due to his own mistake.

I mean I think he covered it well. He could have lifted. He probably should have lifted. But he didn’t. He’s just not going to get the benefit of the doubt from the general public, but I am like, ‘OK, let me just think about this in an unbiased (way)’ — and I feel like I’m unbiased on Austin Hill. But even here he was there, he was outside. But here’s what he didn’t take into account, is that that is a part of the racetrack where the spotters have no idea where you’re at.

Denny Hamlin said on Actions Detrimental podcast.

‘No chance’ to avoid Austin Hill’s Watkins Glen wreck

It is not unusual for NASCAR to witness massive wrecks. Even stars like Denny Hamlin have been guilty of causing major incidents in the past. However, Austin Hill is gaining an unfavorable reputation in the field, with fans lashing out at him after the last race.

Austin Hill
Austin Hill (via Getty images)

Denny Hamlin pointed out that the way things went in Watkins Glen, left no room for even spotters to understand what was going on. This gave Michael McDowell simply no chance to give some room to his rival to prevent a wreck. Hamlin asserted that the crash was simply inevitable at that stage. The JGR veteran pointed out that if McDowell could’ve made the corner a bit quicker, it could’ve helped avoid trouble.

So thinking that Michael McDowell is going to know that you’re there at that portion of the track, there’s no chance. No chance of that. He’s supposed to go to the right quicker. So they both swung out, but Austin got the run on the outside. There’s a wall here. What the 11 should have done is hedged more towards getting, got to get back on the track sooner than later.

Denny Hamlin added

Certainly, the Watkins Glen wreck will remain a major talking point in NASCAR for the coming weeks. All eyes will be on Austin Hill in the coming races. The RCR driver must have one goal, that is to avoid any further trouble due to his on-track antics. Such wrecks not only ruin his reputation but lead to massive repair costs for the team.

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