Despite Ryan Blaney’s stellar return to the podium after a thrilling victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Team Penske’s comeback has been overshadowed by a rather infamous incident involving Hendrick Motorsports driver, Chase Elliott and NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin.

While Blaney brought the Ford camp their vital win at the grand stage, what caught the attention of the community was the dramatic episode that had Elliott wreck the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, after a brief contact. And this intentional act had some serious repercussions in store for him.

With Elliott suspended for the next race at the World Wide Technology Raceway, that too right after his celebrated return, NASCAR’s punishment took the controversy to new heights.

As HMS fans defended their ace driver, Michael Jordan, and Denny Hamlin owned, 23Xl Racing team member backed his team, as the incident resembled an infamous stint between Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson.

Freddie Kraft Backs 23XI Racing Post the Chase Elliott–Denny Hamlin Debacle at Charlotte

In a few ways, the recent episode in the Coca-Cola 600 had a lot of similarities with another incident involving Bubba Wallace and another HMS driver, Kyle Larson. There was arguably bad blood between the drivers in both instances. Hence, NASCAR doled out the penalties accordingly.

Now, Elliott has been punished for his unnecessary act, much like Bubba Wallace, who rammed into Kyle Larson in Las Vegas last year. The similarities don’t end there. Both Wallace and Elliott hooked their fellow competitors purposefully. As HMS fans take it to social media, 23Xl Racing insider Freddie Kraft did not budge taking a dig at Elliott fans while defending his driver.

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Following the incident, the 23Xl Racing spotter took to his Twitter as he called out HMS fans who think the governing body’s actions, to suspend Elliott, were unjustified. Eventually, this evolved into a major debate online with Kraft backing Wallace’s 2022 antics.

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Freddie Kraft Takes On Frenzied Chase Elliott Fans as He Takes His Argument to Twitter

NASCAR issued its statement against Chase Elliott this morning. Elton Sawyer, VP of Competition, explained how the officials came to the conclusion to suspend the HMS speedster. He said on SiriusXM NASCAR, “After looking at all the resources, in-car camera data SMT which basically gives sus steering, gives us throttle, gives us braking, it was an intentional act by Chase.” 

As the driver received a one-race suspension, Elliott will miss the iconic Gateway track. With his return ruined, Elliott fans came to defend their driver when Freddie Kraft put out his thoughts on Twitter.

On this, a Hendrick Motorsports fan commented, “As an Elliott fan, I agree with the call. that was dangerous. but as far as comparison to BW’s move last year, i assumed the suspension was for walking across the track and starting a fight moreso than the wreck itself.” And this comment tipped off an avalanche of fan comments while Kraft pointed out the obvious.

However, fans also reflected on Kraft’s opinion, “Correct, I love how Elliott fans are saying it wasn’t as bad as Bubba’s…regardless if not has bad the same intent and outcome happened, and to Hamlin’s point, it is a very very dangerous and unsafe act and should never be tolerated regardless how big or small it is made”

“He got suspended for right hooking a guy on purpose”

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Fans also commented on Kraft’s main tweet.

“I have to admit, I’ve seen a ton of 9 fans who are being very level headed about this. Gives me hope.”

“All in all, yes right decision, but it’s about time that someone stands up to all the run in’s into the wall and such and get by with it, and say oh it’s just racing! Well you want racing go back to the early days, that was racing.”

Although the majority of the community felt NASCAR’s decision was the right one, this didn’t stop the jabs from coming. A fan wrote, “At least Nascar is finally being consistent lol”