NASCAR to investigate Chase Elliott's wreck with Denny Hamlin to determine punishment

The Coca-Cola 600 marathon at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday was filled with tension. With 16 cautions, the race took nearly five hours to complete. Amid the chaos, all eyes were on Denny Hamlin’s wreck.

On Lap 186, in a tight formation, Hamlin bumped into Chase Elliott’s car. Moments later, Hamlin made contact with the No. 9 vehicle again. The only difference is this time there were repercussions.

Elliot pushed back toward Hamlin from the wall, causing the 23XI Racing co-owner to spin out. Elliot claimed he lost control of his vehicle after Hamlin’s bump, however, Hamlin isn’t buying it.

“I got right rear hooked in the middle of a straightaway. Yeah, it’s a tantrum and he shouldn’t be racing next week. Right rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable. I don’t care, it’s the same thing Bubba Wallace did with Kyle Larson. The exact same. He shouldn’t be racing. Tantrum.”

The Bubba Wallace incident Hamlin is referring to occurred back in October 2022. Wallace received a one-race ban after intentionally running Kyle Larson off the track. Clearly, Hamlin believes NASCAR should dish out a similar punishment to Elliott.

The 42-year-old driver might get what he wants sooner rather than later. A NASCAR spokesperson said the sanctioning body will investigate Chase Elliott’s wrecking of Denny Hamlin on Lap 185 to decide whether punishment is necessary.

Elliot believes he deserves no such suspension, stating the accident was simply “an unfortunate circumstance.”

NASCAR won’t have long to deliberate over its actions before the next race. Drivers will head north to compete in the Enjoy Illinois 300 on June 4.