Skip to main content
Subscribe
NASCAR Logo

Denny Hamlin fires back at fans, critics over Kyle Larson crash, controversial finish

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•07/23/23•

samdg_33

Denny Hamlin
Matthew O'Haren | USA TODAY Sports

Denny Hamlin’s win at today’s Pocono Raceway did not come without dramatics. With a wreck playing a pivotal part in the 50th victory of his career, he explained what took place between him and Kyle Larson this afternoon following the race.

In a post-race interview on USA, Hamlin told his side of the story. He said that options were on the table for the other drives involved in the crash but that, in the end, it had nothing to do with him as, in his words, he “didn’t hit either one of them.”

“Both guys wrecked themselves. He missed the corner first and, evidently, he didn’t have his right tires clean. When he gassed up, just kept going again,” Hamlin said. “You have an option in those positions to either hold it wide open and hit the fence or lift and race it out. But those are choices they made. I didn’t hit either one of them, didn’t touch them.”

Larson very clearly didn’t agree with his sentiment considering how he responded during and after the race. It’s clear that the fans didn’t see it that way either based on how his win was showered in boos after the checkered flag.

Even so, Hamlin appreciated the distaste and suggested that they keep it coming his way considering what he has now accomplished at Pocono.

“I love it, I love it,” said Hamlin. “They can boo my rock out here in a few years.”

Larson passes two cars to hit Hamlin under caution

Things just got intense between Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson! Shades of Knasas on the track at Pocono Raceway. Racing hard for the lead in the NASCAR Cup Series, Hamlin put Larson into the wall by giving him a little pinch on the turn.

Kyle Larson is not going to be happy with him after this race. When push came to shove, it was Hamlin that did the pushing and shoving and he got the track position.

After this little incident, Larson got into Hamlin’s door under caution. NASCAR isn’t going to like that. Here is what happened between the two as the race came down to the final laps.

And here is when Kyle Larson then put his door into him under caution.

Still, Hamlin once again finds himself in victory lane at Pocono Raceway, even if this is perhaps his most controversial win after what happened on the track. Say what you will but, in the end, Hamlin is now the all-time wins leader at Pocono Raceway with this being his seventh Tricky Triangle checkered flag.