NASCAR races are often filled with excitement, adrenaline, and a sense of unpredictability. However, on a rainy day in Chicago, the excitement turned to disappointment for both fans and drivers. The anticipation for the Cup Series race, the highlight of the weekend, was shattered as rain clouds loomed over the track.

Amidst the uncertainty, Denny Hamlin, the pole sitter at Chicago, took to Twitter to plead with NASCAR officials. In his tweet, Hamlin expressed his concern about the decision to proceed with the race despite the adverse weather conditions.

Denny Hamlin Pleas for race cancellation despite favorable odds

Hamlin’s tweet read, “We cannot control god. What we can control is our decisions and reactions to unforeseen circumstances. Please @NASCAR. Do not do this. We have too much positive momentum around this weekend to change the narrative now.” It was released earlier in the day after NASCAR officials made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the Xfinity Series race due to heavy rain and track flooding. The weather conditions were deemed too hazardous to continue, leaving the race unfinished.

While they acknowledged the option to continue the Xfinity Series race on Monday, they stated that they opted against it after consulting with Chicago officials.

Following the release of this announcement, the uncertainty surrounding the Cup series race only grew as drivers were asked to return to their vehicles after 5 p.m., with a tentative goal of starting at 5:15 p.m. While weather issues indeed led to challenging circumstances for NASCAR officials in Chicago, they ultimately made the decision to proceed with the Cup Series race which sparked controversy among drivers and fans alike.

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“Run it tomorrow” – Fans Rally behind Denny Hamlin as NASCAR ignores Drivers’ plea

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Hamlin’s tweet resonated with fans who shared similar concerns about the safety of the drivers and the potential for another disappointing race due to adverse weather conditions. One fan tweeted, “Agreed. Run it tomorrow and let everyone enjoy the evening. Standing around for hours is just silly. Waiting hours will also bring daylight into play. If you want a full competitive race, tomorrow it is.”

Another fan expressed frustration but also agreed with Hamlin, saying, “I hate that I keep agreeing with you. But let’s use an ounce of common sense and reschedule this thing to tomorrow. And when the cup race is done tomorrow, we can actually finish the joke of an Xfinity race we put on.”

Fans also drew parallels to past races affected by rain, highlighting the negative impact it can have on the overall race experience. One fan stated, “If they race in this kind of rain, it’s going to be a repeat of COTA from 2 years ago, and that was a flat-out horrible race where they had no business being out there.” 

Another fan showed support for Hamlin’s plea, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over the desire for racing. They stated, “100% agree Denny, I badly want to see racing but not at the expense of you and other drivers’ safety. COTA 2021 and Xfinity Roval 2020 prove you can’t race in a monsoon.”

In the end, the pleas of Denny Hamlin and the saddened fans were not enough to change the course of events. As the racing community reflects on the events that unfolded at the Chicago Street Race, the hope remains that future races will be met with fair weather and the excitement and joy that fans and drivers alike deserve.

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