The fiery feud between Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott: It’s a tale as old as time; well, at least as old as 2017. But it’s still a simmering pot of drama that promises to boil over time and time again. The latest episode in this drama unfolded earlier this year at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The tension reached its peak on Lap 186 when Hamlin and Elliott found themselves battling at the top of the turn. Hamlin, never one to shy away from aggressive moves, gave the #9 a little nudge that sent Elliott brushing against the wall.

In retaliation, Elliott swerved left and hit the rear of the #11, sending Hamlin headfirst into the outside wall. Chaos ensued, and both were left with wrecked cars, but the real kicker came when NASCAR slapped a one-race suspension on Elliott for intentionally wrecking his rival. This, however, was not the first time these two have tangled on the track, and one can bet it will not be the last.

Martinsville mayhem: An unforgettable prelude to the Chase Elliott-Denny Hamlin saga

Rewind to 2017 in Martinsville, where the first chapter of this saga played out. Brad Keselowski, hoping for a victorious return to the paperclip track, saw his dreams crushed when teammate Joey Logano spun out, bringing out the caution. The restart witnessed a relentless Chase Elliott hot on Keselowski’s heels, hungry for his first Cup Series victory.

A nudge from Elliott sent Keselowski up the track, leaving him high and dry as other drivers swooped past. The lead was now Elliott’s to cherish, but it wasn’t meant to be. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing’s playoff contender, seized the open window that Elliott had created. A fierce battle for the lead unfolded, and it culminated in Hamlin resorting to the classic short-track move, the bump and run. Hamlin’s bumper met Elliott’s rear, sending him spinning out of the lead and into the unforgiving embrace of the outside wall.

As the checkered flag waved, it was Hamlin’s teammate, Kyle Busch, who claimed victory. Yet, Elliott had not forgotten how his moment of glory was snatched away by Hamlin’s ruthless maneuver. On the cooldown lap, the #24 and #11 cars met, and the two rivals engaged in a heated face-to-face exchange.

Years later, fans still haven’t forgotten the poetic justice of that moment. They remember how it all began, with Elliott snatching the lead from the Team Penske star, Brad Keselowski, and sending him into the unforgiving embrace of the wall. The fans hailed it as “Karma” served hot on a platter.

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A comment section showdown—revisiting the Martinsville clash

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As we revisit that moment when the duo first locked horns, the online peanut gallery had no shortage of opinions. One vocal supporter declared, “Deserved,” as another fan chimed in, reminding everyone, “People completely forget that Chase bodied Brad.”

A more nuanced opinion was expressed, “Chase fans so upset at Denny but Chase moved Brad; they were fine with that though.” On the other hand, there was a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying, “***after Chase runs out of talent and bodies Brad.”

One fan mused, “Let’s completely ignore the fact that Chase cleared out Keselowski. Karma sucks,” as another added, “Chase deserved it after chucking Brad into the dirt.” With a belief that the universe rights the wrongs on the racetrack, as one fan put it, “He shipped Brad before this. Karma at its finest.”

Amidst this rivalry, there’s a tinge of hypocrisy as well, as fans highlight the competitive nature of NASCAR, where taking and receiving hard hits come with the territory. Another fan mused, “Sooo he dumped Brad but everyone is mad he got dumped?”

Now, as the NASCAR grid returns to Martinsville for the penultimate race of the season, the tension is palpable. Both Hamlin and Elliott find themselves in must-win situations, Hamlin for the drivers’ championship and Elliott for the owners’ championship. With so much on the line, the question is, will we see these two fiery competitors lock horns once more?

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