Denny Hamlin defends NASCAR from controversies over race-ending caution call at the Daytona 500
Denny Hamlin doesn’t see any issue with the controversial caution call at the end of the 2024 Daytona 500.
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Denny Hamlin (Credits: Imago)
The 2024 NASCAR Cup series opener, the Daytona 500, saw just five cautions. It was the lowest number of yellow flags since the 2004 season opener. But the stat is deciding as all of the five incidents that happened were significant and big. Even was called off a lap early after a crash involving Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric.
In an effort to take the lead, Chastain went for an opening that wasn’t there, resulting in him making contact with Cindric, who was getting shoved from behind by Corey LeJoie. While the No:1 and No:2 cars spun into the infield grass, Willaim Byron took the lead and the white flag, later the win. The No:2 Ford started sliding back to the track, and NASCAR was forced to call a caution. Byron, who was in the lead while the yellow was waved, was awarded the win.
But soon after, controversy erupted on social media, where some claimed that the caution came out a bit early and NASCAR should’ve let Byron and Alex Bowman race it out. JGR veteran Denny Hamlin, via his podcast, has come forth to defend NASCAR. He pointed out that it’s just natural controversy, and since a Hendrick Motorsports car has won the race, it was the right call as both Bowman and Byron were HMS racers. Hamlin also highlighted that Cindric’s crashed car was in a dangerous position.
What you saw when this caution comes out, there’s controversy over when they’re throwing the yellow, and I think that that’s just natural controversy…You can throw any conspiracy out there, but it doesn’t matter when they throw it, one of the Hendrick cars wins. I think that they made the right call, simply because the No. 2 car was, when he crashed, he was starting to make his way back up the racing track. Right at the start-finish-line, nose first. He was in a dangerous position.Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.
Denny Hamlin reckons Xfinity season opener-type call couldn’t have been made in the Cup event
Following the Cup Series race, the end of the Xfinity Series opener also saw a similar last-lap wreck. But unlike in the 500, NASCAR didn’t call the caution and let the race leaders, Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed, fight it out.
But unlike in the Cup race, during the Xfinity incident, both drivers had already taken the white flag, and unlike in the case of Cindric in the No:2 car, no one was in a vulnerable position. Hamlin used the same point while giving his verdict on the call to defend the Daytona 500 race-ending caution.
Now, the Xfinity Race, they crashed and they just kind of let them go. Could they have let it go further? Yes, but if they do that, there’s so many cars that are behind that pack that are yet to get past the No. 2 car, that’s crossing the race-track, broad-sided. They want to have everyone slow down as soon as possible to mitigate the risk that the No. 2 is very vulnerable in, in that moment.Hamlin said.
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Justin P Joy
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