Joey Logano slams NASCAR for decision-making over Denny Hamlin’s jumpstart

Joey Logano isn’t happy with NASCAR’s decision to let Denny Hamlin’s Richmond jumpstart slide.

Joey Logano slams NASCAR for decision-making over Denny Hamlin’s jumpstart

Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano (Via IMAGO)

Denny Hamlin’s overtime win at Richmond has created a lot of controversies. The No:11 driver allegedly jumpstarted on the final restart to secure the race win defeating his teammate Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR initially gave Hamlin the clean sheet over the incident. Later they admitted that it was an incident they missed and it took to long to realize it.

Two times NASCAR Cup champion Joey Logano, who finished P2 in the Toyota Owners 400, wasn’t happy at NASCAR decision and pointed out that he would be fixed if they black flags him next week for the same move. He also asserted that NASCAR only reviewed the incident after Martin Truex Jr. complained about it and it wasn’t a good look on the race control.

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I’ll tell you one thing, if I get black-flagged for doing that next week I’m going to be pissed. Because why was it OK last week? I don’t think this was even a question. The restart was not even under review until (Martin) Truex said he jumped the start. Right, like that was it. It wasn’t even a thought in NASCAR’s mind, I don’t think.
Joey Logano told SiriusXM NASCAR radio.

The Team Penske driver has strong point here as NASCAR should’ve noted the issue. During the same radio segment, he also spoke about how the sanctioning body has put jumpstart under review in the past. The race control made the wrong call on Sunday, but there is nothing left to do now and the only thing to do is move on.

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Denny Hamlin put’s some blame on Joey Logano for the jumpstart drama

The JGR veteran puts some blame on Joey Logano for the jumpstart issue. He pointed out that the Team Penske driver was dictating the re-start and him laying back to take advantage made him roll out a bit early that he should’ve. This because Logano would’ve had a momentum advantage if Hamlin waited a bit long to hit the gas.

July 29, 2023, Richmond, VA, United States of America: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Driver, Joey Logano (22) gets
Joey Logano (Via IMAGO)
Joey is laying back and if we really want to get into technicalities, you should not be laying back. But he laid back enough to where I could see him start to creep towards me. At that point, I’m thinking in my head [that] I’m not going to let him roll to me and then as soon as the gap closes, take off. Because then he’s got an advantage. He’s going to be pushing me, he’s going to pull out of line. He dictated the restart, not me.
Denny Hamlin said.

Hamlin do have a point about Logano dictating the re-start, but it was the No:11 driver who had the most control and it was him who made the decision to roll-out early. The race and results are done and there nothing anyone can do about it. But NASCAR now has to be careful with their decision making as it important to assert to the garage that jumpstart won’t be tolerated.

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