Denny Hamlin gives his verdict on Alex Bowman-Daniel Suarez Darlington drama, says the Trackhouse driver ‘took himself out trying to prove a point’

Alex Bowman and Daniel Saurez have multiple run-ins on the tracks this season.

Denny Hamlin gives his verdict on Alex Bowman-Daniel Suarez Darlington drama, says the Trackhouse driver ‘took himself out trying to prove a point’

Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin and Daniel Suarez (Via IMAGO)

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has expressed his opinion on the run-in between Chevy drivers Alex Bowman and Daniel Saurez at Darlington during the late laps of the 2023 post-season opener. The three-time Daytona 500 winner said that, to a certain extent, it was the rage of the Mexican driver that caused the incident.

With just 50 laps left in the race, Bowman was in an aggressive battle for P8 with Suarez. The Hendrick Motorsports No:48 Chevy was upfront and refused to let the Trackhouse Racing No:99 Chevy overtake. The aggressive maneuvers from both the drivers while defending and attacking resulted in a wreck. Both were forced to retire and settle for a finish outside the top 30.

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While discussing the incident in his podcast, Action Detrimental pointed out that while it is hard to point fingers at both drivers, Suarez could have made a better decision. He said that Saurez was trying to prove something in a scenario that had no big significance.

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“It’s really close, I mean, you know, Suarez took himself out, you know, trying to prove a point there, so I don’t know that he really win with that scenario. Yes, he wrecked Alex saying, ‘hey, you don’t block me up.” I mean, I agree with Bowman that they know blocks too, so it’s hard to throw a stone; it’s hard to any of us to throw stones because we all do it,” Hamlin said.

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Denny Hamlin calls it a Daniel Saurez rage moment

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)

Hamlin pointed out that Suarez should have thought twice before making contact and taking himself out. He said that it was a kind of a rage thing, and the incident caused both drivers to what could have been solid point-paying races.

“You know if you’re pissed off at Bowman for blocking, then I think there’s probably ways to get him in the fence that don’t take yourself out, but you know it’s just I don’t know, it just seems like kinda like a rage thing. Certainly running both of their days, which is unfortunate to both of them,” Hamlin said.

The 2023 so far has been similar to the duo who started the year with an impressive streak of top-10 finishes before a mid-season slump. Both missed out on the playoffs following the winless streak and haven’t been contenders for win in a handful of races.

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