Denny Hamlin involved in four car wreck late in Southern 500 at Darlington

This Southern 500 is full of twists and turns. Denny Hamlin and three other drivers were involved in a late wreck at Darlington. With about 40 laps to go in the NASCAR race, Kyle Busch got Todd Gilliland loose. Then, chaos ensued.

For the eighth caution on the day, Gilliland would go down the track and back up. He found Denny Hamlin in the process who then hit Michael McDowell and then the 34 car pinched Christopher Bell against the wall.

The Cook Out Southern 500 always produces drama. For Denny Hamlin, who led most of this race early on, it has been one thing after another since about the halfway point. Hamlin was in the free-pass position but will now remain a lap down since he was involved in the wreck.

Three drivers in the #NASCARPlayoffs get caught up in this accident with 37 to go! pic.twitter.com/Yucx2bTTAR

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 4, 2023

Denny Hamlin was leading early on in this race. In fact, it looked like he was going to dominate for another Darlington win. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver found himself with a vibration that he claimed was a loose wheel, so he had to make an extra pit stop. His team said they didn’t find a loose wheel, but the issue stopped.

Then, just as he was getting back on the lead lap, he was involved in the caution. Two Front Row Motorsports cars were wrecked out and two JGR cars received significant damage. Darlington makes no promises and it gives no mercy. Sometimes, it just isn’t your night.

Denny Hamlin won’t sweep weekend at Darlington

After his Xfinity Series win at Darlington on Saturday, Denny Hmalin had visions of a Southern 500 win in his mind. It looked like it might happen, too. He was one of the fastest in the qualifying sessions and it was apparent that he had speed from the start of the race, too.

This race has given us a ton of drama. Bubba Wallace spun out just to get back to the top-5 late in this one. We saw the lights go out at one point and bring out a caution and then a red flag. Darlington always delivers no matter what. And it is the perfect race to start the playoffs.

I know that Denny Hamlin won’t be happy on Monday when he records his podcast. However, this has been an enjoyable Southern 500. Fun NASCAR racing under the lights, for the most part, and a lot of strategy and changes in the race to keep it interesting for 500 miles.