Last year, Denny Hamlin ended the Coca-Cola 600 with a flourish, capturing the longest race in NASCAR history with an overtime pass. He won't be defending his crown this year.
The Joe Gibbs Racing superstar saw his dreams of a repeat turn to ash and debris after a major wreck at the end of Stage 2 on Monday.
Hamlin's No. 11 car slammed into the outside wall after a spin. The culprit? None other than Hendrick Motorsports star Chase Elliott. The two tangoed as they pulled into Turn 4 on Lap 186. Hamlin appeared to first send Elliott into the wall.
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Elliott appeared less than pleased with the move. He responded by delivering a crunching blow to the right rear of Hamlin's car. The No. 11 Toyota had no chance, folding like accordion against the wall.
A big hit for Denny Hamlin. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Ss1FEqGYiJ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 29, 2023
The No. 9 Camaro didn't fare much better. As Hamlin's car bounced off the wall, it made heavy contact with Elliott's machine, destroying its right toe link. Both cars were forced out of the race as a result.
A look at what happened between @dennyhamlin and @chaseelliott on Lap 186. pic.twitter.com/URBhFq0p5m
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 29, 2023
Afterward, Hamlin had no reservations about calling out the 2020 Cup Series champion. In an interview with Fox's Josh Sims, he blasted Elliott for his move. Hamlin labeled the maneuver a right-rear hook and likened it to the shot Bubba Wallace gave to Kyle Larson during last season's playoffs. Wallace, who drives for Hamlin-co-owned 23XI Racing, was suspended one race for his actions.
MORE: Bubba Wallace-Aric Almirola argument at Coca-Cola 600 gets physical
"It's a tantrum and he shouldn't be racing next week," Hamlin said of Elliott. "Right-rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable. I don't care. It's the same thing Bubba Wallace did with Kyle Larson. Exact same. He shouldn't be racing."
"It's a tantrum and he shouldn't be racing next week."@dennyhamlin with some strong words for @chaseelliott after being intentionally wreck by the No. 9.#NASCAR #CocaCola600 pic.twitter.com/lJkB00TPyz
— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) May 29, 2023
Hamlin had similar words, albeit with a few more colorful adjectives, when talking to crew chief Chris Gabehart over the radio.
"F***ing bull s***. They need to park his f***ing ass."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) May 29, 2023
Denny Hamlin
Elliott disagreed with Hamlin's assessment and denied there was any retaliation. He said he didn't have much control of the right side of his car after the contact from Hamlin.
Chase Elliott tells his side of the story on his wreck with Denny Hamlin:pic.twitter.com/U8WALT6dIo
— Always Race Day (@AlwaysRaceDay) May 29, 2023
"The No. 11 ran us up in the fence there," Elliott said. "Once you turn the right sides off these things, it's kind of over."
"Like I said, once you hit the wall in these things, you can't drive them anymore. ... Just an unfortunate circumstance," he added.
Elliott finds himself down in the Cup Series racing standings. He has yet to win this season, and it seems all but certain that he won't be able to make the playoffs via regular-season points alone after missing a swath of races due to a leg injury suffered off the track. A win would seal his spot.
He'll have to wait a little longer for that win now, especially if NASCAR decides to issue a suspension.