Ryan Blaney claims Denny Hamlin ‘jumped the final restart’ to win LA Clash

Ryan Blaney charged from the back to a top-3 finish at the LA Clash.

Ryan Blaney claims Denny Hamlin ‘jumped the final restart’ to win LA Clash

Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

The 2024 LA Clash at the Colosseum, most probably the final NASCAR event in the Los Angeles temporary track, had the best race it has ever seen last Saturday. The preponed unofficial NASCAR season opener saw Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin holding off Kyle Busch to secure his fourth career Clash win.

Alongside Hamlin, Busch (P2) and defending Cup champion Ryan Blaney (P3) completed the podium. Blaney charge to the podium was impressive, considering he drove from the back (P23) to secure a top-3 finish. Blaney, while talking about the race afterward, came forward, claiming that Hamlin jumped the final restart.

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When asked about it, Blaney admitted that Hamlin did the jump start on his way to victory. The Team Penske Racing No:12 Ford driver clarified that the jumpstart was a matter of a few feet, and he doesn’t think it made much difference. Just like Blaney, Hamlin’s win, was a charge from the back as he was sent to the rear after an incident earlier in the race.

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Yeah, by a few feet. Obviously he kicked my ass on the restart so I’m going to say he jumped, but I thought it was a few feet early. It didn’t make a difference.
Blaney said, as reported by On3.com.

Ryan Blaney didn’t have the best re-start as well

Blaney pointed out that the final restart was terrible for him as well and admitted that even if he had the best start, there was no way he would’ve won the race. He added that he enjoyed the charge to the top from the back.       

Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney
Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)
I got a terrible restart on the last one. Probably wouldn’t have won anyway, but came from a long way back, so it was fun. I think every time I’ve been I’ve been spun backwards about two or three times, so it’s not nice to have that one at the last one, so it’s good.

The reigning champion has a huge task to defend his title in 2024. He knows what not to do in the title defense in the next-gen era after closely watching teammate Joey Logano in 2023. Blaney has to have some tricks in his sleeves if he wants to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson to defend the title.

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