It has become a common practice for athletes to appear in interviews and podcasts, exchange views, and introduce the game from a first-person perspective. It’s silly to think that an athlete could face a huge amount of backlash for sharing their opinions about the game or performance. But a very different fate ensued for the driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing.

On his podcast, Denny Hamlin opened up about his last lap’s wreckage against his long-time rival, Ross Chastain at Phoenix Raceway. After the podcast aired, NASCAR heavily penalized Hamlin for the intentional crash. However, Hamlin pointed out the reason behind his revelation, as things didn’t go as he had expected.

Denny Hamlin got unexpected results from his podcast

Many-a-times it happens that the result turns out to be completely alien from what one expected out of it. It seems that Hamlin faced something similar. During an episode of ‘Actions Detrimental’, Denny discussed that his previous week has been interesting for him owing to the backlash he’s been facing ever since his confession.

Hamlin never thought that his admittance would attract a heavy penalty from NASCAR. He admitted that he acted with the sole purpose of engaging with the fans. After he admitted to his wreckage, NASCAR fined him a whopping $50,000 and a reduction in 25 driver points.

He said, “certainly I didn’t believe talking to the fans here listening to this podcast, would result in any kind of penalty of any sort. But to my surprise that happened.”

Not talking too much about his appeal to NASCAR’s decision, he said, “I think it’s smarter if I just kinda keep my opinions and my facts in my pocket.” The reason he refuses to let fans in on his plan is that it would “give the plaintiff time to prepare”

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It is certain that Denny got a result that he didn’t foresee. An exemplary penalty of  $50,000, along with a reduction in 25 driver points, is not something one could anticipate.

Why did Denny Hamlin wreck Ross Chastain on purpose?

Wrecks and bumps are an integral part of motorsports, especially NASCAR. It is one of the elements that attract the audience. But can someone’s wreck result in a barrage of criticism by an entirety of the viewers? Hamlin’s one-of-a-kind wreckage displays just that as his admittance backfired.

Denny admitted to wrecking Ross Chastain on purpose. Hamlin earlier revealed that he did so to exact revenge on Chastain as the two drivers crossed paths more often that not last year. After NASCAR punished Hamlin, some questions were raised about punishing intent rather than action. This is again something the JGR driver never expected.

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Will Hamlin take this as a lesson, or will he use it as a foundation for his appeal? Whatever he does, he has to be careful this time. NASCAR has its eyes on him.