Denny Hamlin is done playing the bad guy. After a disappointing run-in at the Charlotte Roval with Ross Chastain, Hamlin didn’t hold any grudges. He immediately understood why Chastain had to race him hard. To push three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano out of the playoffs and in need of heavy points as they were tied, Chastain, in a desperate move, tried to overtake Hamlin aggressively, which didn’t end well for Hamlin or Ross.

One post-race moment captured Hamlin grabbing Chastain’s shoulders, and the NASCAR community took it the wrong way. Hamlin is blamed for getting aggressive whenever he is done wrong by others, and he decided to clarify the matter before he makes any more enemies within the NASCAR community.

Hamlin clears the air

Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin said, “I don’t want to let it fester. So, let me go talk to him. And so, he wasn’t done. So, when I walked around to where he was at, his back was to me. So, I grabbed him by the shoulder and I said, “I need to speak with him for a moment.” And so, and I wanted to turn him away from the media. That’s why my arm, if you look at a still picture, my arm is around him is because I’m trying to turn his body away from the cameras.”

Hamlin managed to finish the 2.28-mile race outside the top 20 drivers in P23, meanwhile Chastain wrapped up the race in P21. And on the other hand, Joey Logano won the battle with Chastain and ended in P20, securing the final playoff spot for the Round of 8.

Following the dramatic final lap where Ross Chastain’s aggressive move led to a collision with Denny Hamlin, the veteran driver expressed understanding. Post-race, Hamlin clarified that he wasn’t aware of the points system. “No, I don’t fault Ross at all. I just wish I knew so I could have been either prepared or made a different decision.”

Hamlin then sent a bold message with the next words, saying, “And so, I wanted to have a private conversation. But, you know, are we friends? I don’t think so. But I, you know, my respect for him has grown. I think that the way we raced each other in 2022 is not nearly how we raced each other today in 2025. I had questions for him and that was it… Like, I take it like a man when I get wiped out. I took it like a man. I understand. I’m not mad… did I wish I was in that spot? No…I just wanted to have a true and honest conversation with him, and that was it.” 

In fact, even Trackhouse owner Justin Marks doesn’t place the blame on the No. 11 driver. He said, “I think ultimately, you know, everybody’s out here to try to get the best finish and the best result for their team, and I don’t think anybody really owes it to anybody else to try to help anybody else.” Marks appreciated Hamlin’s approach, adding, “Denny’s doing what he’s got to do for the 11 team and try to get the best finish that he can.” Moreover, Marks assigned part of the blame to Chastain’s aggressive driving.

But as Hamlin is done playing white knight for Chastain and his dashed playoff hopes, the veteran shifts his focus to Ross’s teammate. As Shane Van Gisbergen took the checkered flag at Charlotte, coming close to Gordon’s six consecutive road course win streak, one motorsports reporter sounded off on SVG being hailed as the best road course ace, and let’s just say Denny Hamlin didn’t take it lightly.

Denny Hamlin comes to SVG’s rescue amid Jeff Gordon-SVG road course debate

NASCAR star came out swinging on his Actions Detrimental podcast, blasting motorsports journalist Jordan Bianchi’s take that SVG doesn’t measure up to Jeff Gordon on road courses. And according to Hamlin, that doesn’t hold true. In his eyes, SVG isn’t just good; he is the best road course driver NASCAR has ever seen.

Just to refresh your memory, Jeff Gordon, the four-time Cup Series champ and current Hendrick Motorsports chairman, was a legend on ovals and no slouch on road courses either, winning nine of them. But SVG is rewriting the book. Since making his Cup debut over two years ago, he has already racked up five straight road course wins this year out of the six. That is not just a hot streak; it is historic.

Bianchi, however, isn’t sold. On the Teardown podcast with Jeff Gluck, he confirmed that Gordon still wears the crown. He praised Gordon’s dominance in his prime, even suggesting that the racing icon could have made waves in Formula One, too. And sure, it is a compelling case if you are stuck in the 2000s. But Hamlin wasn’t having any of it.

Hamlin doubled down, dismissing any debate with the confidence only a fellow competitor could bring, “Jordan Bianchi is absolutely out of his mind. Yeah, he’s [SVG] on the short-list for the best NASCAR road racer ever. What is he talking about? Does he really think that Jeff Gordon, in his prime, would beat SVG today in a Next Gen car? Not a chance. Not a remote chance… SVG is the greatest road course NASCAR driver in history. And he’s only been doing it for a year and a half. And it’s undisputed. Anybody that disputes it, even in my mentions, shut up. I know, you don’t. I compete. You don’t.” 

And just when you thought the mic couldn’t drop harder, Hamlin questioned Jordan’s credibility altogether, saying, “I don’t even know what Bianchi’s talking about. It’s just losing legitimacy in the journalism world at this point. Not using the thing between your ears.”

However, as the Cup garage heads to its first race of the Round of 8, SVG will have to conquer the oval tracks. He has set realistic goals, knowing his capability when it comes to oval-track racing. Now, as the Cup garage heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, all eyes will be on Denny Hamlin for his playoff fate and on SVG as to how he continues to fight his oval challenges.