Denny Hamlin Questions ‘Daniel Suarez’s Motivation’ Behind Not Passing Joey Logano at Roval

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on questionable actions from Daniel Suarez in R-12 final race.

Denny Hamlin Questions ‘Daniel Suarez’s Motivation’ Behind Not Passing Joey Logano at Roval

Denny Hamlin and Daniel Suarez (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Roval last weekend witnessed some wild moments, with the wildest of them causing the elimination of Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain. His teammate Daniel Suarez supposedly had an opportunity to affect the situation earlier in the race and JGR veteran Denny Hamlin on his podcast analyzed the dramatic situation.

In the second stage of the race, Daniel Suarez found himself behind Team Penske Racing’s Joey Logano, who got Ross Chastain eliminated. He was fast enough to pass the reigning champion, but he refused to do so. In the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin highlighted how flipping the stage gave the No:99 team an advantage and put him in the spot to potentially help his teammate.

Now, for the record, we come out, if we flip stages on a road course, do not be surprised if our lap times are significantly slower than what they were when we just pitted because we know we’re gonna stay out and the team will harp on us, ‘Do not push these tires the first two laps. Take it easy because we’re about to stay out.’

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental podcast.

He then questioned the motivations of his former JGR teammate Suarez, pondering if he was just taking revenge on Trackhouse for letting his contract expire and replace him with Conor Zilisch for 2026. Hamlin also suggested that, Suarez might’ve been saving his tire, thinking about his own result and it had nothing do with the Ross Chastain situation.

Now, did he not pass Logano by choice because he’s chapped at the organization for letting him go, or was he just being smart saying, ‘I’m not gonna burn my sh*t up here.’ In one lap, Joey’s about to pit, that spot is irrelevant so why would I burn my tires up for the next stage? That’s the counter. It’s not like people just pass at will.

Denny Hamlin added.

At the end of the day, the incident happened in the second stage and it wouldn’t have had a significant impact on the Logano-Chastain duel. Suarez finished the race P7, multiple positions ahead of the likes of his teammate who finished P21, just below Logano at P20.

Denny Hamlin caused Ross Chastain’s elimination

Veteran Hamlin had more influence in Chastain’s elimination than, Suarez. He passed the Chevy driver in the last lap, without knowing the points situation and in a desperate attempt get the sport back the No:1 driver spun him out ruining both of their results. If the TRD driver knew the playoff situation, he wouldn’t have made the pass and let his rival finish ahead.

Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano (Via @RossChastain/X, IMAGO and @joeylogano/X)

I run, and I run, and I run. I’m like, I’m not catching anyone. Suddenly, the 1 (Ross Chastain), you can see he’s slow. He’s fighting his car and whatnot. At that point, again, I have no idea. Never did I get any update on what position we’re in, never did I get an update on the points, anything.

Denny Hamlin said.

Further talking about the point, the veteran asserted that he wasn’t given any communication about the situation. The veteran having no clue about the situation considering how significant Logano grinding his way into the R-8 is, in terms of championship conversation, is a major communication failure from the No:11 crew.

At that point, I think this is another spot I got to gain. I don’t know where the 22 (Joey Logano) was. I didn’t know if the 22 was 10 spots in me or 10 spots behind. Absolutely no clue whatsoever.

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from the JGR star driver on the situation shows he is pretty disappointed with letting Joey Logano remain in the title contention. He now has work extra hard for the R-8, with the pressure from the No:22 team being there to make it into the finale at Phoenix and win there.

Also Read: Brad Keselowski Brands Playoffs As “Net Loss” for NASCAR