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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Media Day Feb 15, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin 11 talks with the press during media day at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 20230215_jdm_sx1_097
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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Media Day Feb 15, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin 11 talks with the press during media day at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 20230215_jdm_sx1_097
Remember when Denny Hamlin publicly admitted that he wrecked Ross Chastain purposely at Phoenix? Looks like Hamlin forgot all about it. Because after being penalized with 25 driver points and $50,000, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has now decided to appeal the penalties—despite admitting that he wrecked Chastain on purpose.
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Earlier, after NASCAR announced the penalties for Hamlin, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver revealed that he would not be appealing the decision. In fact, the only appeal he made was to his fans to continue listening to his podcast Actions Detrimental.
I won’t be making an appeal to NASCAR. However I will be making an appeal to the people. I’ll see you next Monday. #ADDH
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 15, 2023
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However, it seems like the #11 Toyota Camry driver has taken a U-turn and decided to appeal the decision. In a tweet posted on March 18, Hamlin shared that after much consideration, he has decided to appeal NASCAR’s penalties.
After much consideration I’ve decided that I will appeal the decision by NASCAR to penalize me.
What happened on Sunday was common hard racing that happens each and every weekend. There was also no manipulation of the race nor actions detrimental to the sport.— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) March 17, 2023
Moreover, he said that what he did at Phoenix was an example of common hard racing that is not unusual in NASCAR races during the weekends. Claiming that there was no manipulation of the race, Hamlin also said that his actions were in no way detrimental to the Phoenix race.
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NASCAR fans react to Denny Hamlin going against his word
Even though fans supported Hamlin when he honestly admitted that he had wrecked Chastain on purpose earlier, they did not seem happy with his new decision. Citing that he made intentional contact with Chastain, a few fans questioned his decision to appeal the penalties.
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You said you let go of the wheel and you decided that he was coming with you, which in turn did manipulate the race because you both finished way further back than y'all both would have otherwise.
If you appeal this all NASCAR will do is play the quote from your show, which is… https://t.co/FJUTfQb0Ob pic.twitter.com/SgvYkwC1aQ
— Michael G. Cardaropoli (@MGCardaropoli) March 17, 2023
You said that you intentionally wrecked him on a podcast. How do you appeal a guilty plea?
— Ryan (@rspollard) March 18, 2023
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Moreover, a few others pointed out that Hamlin’s actions did infact affect the results of the race. Hence, manipulating the finishes. And his decision of appealing against the charges after his confession, doesn’t make much sense. Expressing their views, they wrote,
Yea but his would be fine except you literally described how you manipulated the finish of the race on a podcast.
— Dave (@dbk8945) March 17, 2023
Look, I have no issue with getting into someone because of hard racing, but you said you got into him on purpose on your podcast.
— Nue Houjuu (@Nue_Houjuu) March 17, 2023
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WATCH THIS STORY: “Nothing Has Changed” – Denny Hamlin & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Break Their Silence as NASCAR Drops a Massive Bombshell
As reported by NBC Sports, after Hamlin’s confession on his podcast, NASCAR found him guilty of violating section 4.4B (attempt to manipulate the outcome of a race or championship or wrecking or spinning a vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from the competition). Furthermore, he was also charged with a violation of section 4.4.D which pertains to actions by a NASCAR member that might be detrimental to stock car racing.
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