Chris Gabehart reveals Denny Hamlin’s car hit Richmond wall at higher force than Kurt Busch career-ending crash

On the last lap at Richmond, Austin Dillon took out Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin both in order to claim the win. Of course, Dillon has had his NASCAR Playoff eligibility taken from him as a result of his actions.

Still, that doesn’t reverse what happened on the track. Denny Hamlin hit the outside wall very hard after being right rear hooked. Yes, it was on a short track, but these spins create the most violent wrecks, regardless of the track.

Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart put it in perspective on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Chris Weaver, a cameraman who has covered NASCAR for a number of years shared the summary of Gabehart’s comments.

There is a reason why Hamlin was mad about that wreck and it wasn’t just losing out on the checkered flag.

“[Denny] Hamlin’s crew chief on SiriusXM NASCAR says the 11 car hit the wall at Richmond with a 32G spike – the highest g-load ever for a JGR car in the Gen7 era,” Weaver wrote. “And higher than the crash that injured Kurt Busch forcing his retirement.”

When you put it into that perspective, it opens your eyes. Right rear hooks are no joke, no matter what motorsport, no matter what track. It puts drivers in a situation they can’t control and many times, those are the hits that injure or even kill drivers.

Thankfully, the technology has progressed to the point that these are becoming less severe hits overall. The cars take it better, drivers aren’t impacted as much. But I fear it will take a serious injury or worse to make people realize how seriously the right rear hooks have to be taken.

Denny Hamlin should be mad about Austin Dillon wreck

There are many reasons why Denny Hamlin could and should be mad at Austin Dillon. The wreck was one thing. Losing out on the win is one thing. But to put another driver in danger like that is a completely separate situation.

The Next Gen car has had safety concerns in the past. There has been a lot done to the crush zones to make that better. When Kurt Busch and Alex Bowman suffered their injuries in 2022 it was a lot more than a warning sign for NASCAR.

Austin Dillon was reckless at the end of that Richmond race. We have seen drivers this season without a win race cleanly at the end of races. Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, and many others have been in a position to do what Dillon did or similar and chosen not to do it.

Yes, the win-and-in system encourages more risk. It makes drivers do things they normally would not do. But there is a difference between a racing move and using your competitor as a brake pedal and then hooking a second driver.