Denny Hamlin slams Michael McDowell for CRAZY “law percentage move” that wrecked Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney was furious with Michael McDowell after the clash.

Denny Hamlin slams Michael McDowell for CRAZY “law percentage move” that wrecked Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin (In Circle) and Michael McDowell (Via IMAGO)

Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney came into the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with massive confidence after ending his winless streak a week prior at Iowa Speedway. But as it has been for him most of the season, he was in for a disappointing night as he got wrecked with just nine laps left in the race.

Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell was dueling with Ryan Blaney for P2 in the final laps of the race, and in a desperate attempt to overtake, the Ford driver made a mistake and ended up crashing into the No:12 Mustang. Both drivers lost a solid chance to secure good points or a win. Now JGR veteran Denny Hamlin has given his verdict on the situation via his podcast.

He agreed with Blaney and asserted that it was low percentage and craze move from McDowell. Hamlin reminded the FRM driver that the move wasn’t worth it to secure second as it doesn’t get him an opportunity to win the race, while addressing the veteran drivers’ excuse that his playoff dream made it necessary to take such risks.

FS Video
I side with Ryan on this one. Very low percentage move and it wasn’t the move to win the race. It was for second place. You gotta get to second before you can make a crazy move. It’s like someone saying running seventh, ‘Ah, just had to do it because I needed a win.’ Yeah, but you’re seventh, it’s not for the win. Second place is not for the win.
Denny Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.

Denny Hamlin feared Michael McDowell might ruin Christopher Bell’s race

While assessing the topic earlier before giving the verdict, Hamlin claimed that he called the wreck way before it happened once, he knew McDowell was at the front. He admitted that he though the No:34 Ford might have taken out his teammate Bell, who went on to win the race.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
You should play my radio before we went green. When they told me the 34 was on the front row with the 20, I literally said, ‘Uh oh, I see this one coming.’ And then first corner, caution’s out, 34. Saw that one coming. The only thing is he didn’t crash actually with the 20. I thought if he crashed it was gonna be because he drove in on the 20.
Denny Hamlin said.

The incident has really put some bad light on the veteran Ford driver and the serious comments from Denny Hamlin shows it. It would be interesting to see how the last eight race will playout for McDowell and will he continue to use similar desperate moves.

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