Ahead of the title race in Phoenix, Team Owner Rick Hendrick responded to Denny Hamlin’s post-race comments on Alex Bowman during a media interaction.

In the Team Owners’ press conference, the 72-year-old stood by his driver after Hamlin called him “an absolute hack.”

“I don’t know what a hack is, but you know, he’s won four races this year. Denny’s won two.”

The team owner showed solidarity for the “good soldier” Alex Bowman, who he claims races clean and is loved by sponsors and crowds alike.

But Rick Hendrick also reasoned as to why Denny Hamlin lost it on the race-winning driver.

 “I think when you’re in the middle of a disappointment and you’re frustrated and mad, you might say things that you wouldn’t say normally.”

The incident between Hamlin and Bowman

With 7 laps to go, Alex Bowman, who had the bottom line, brushed race leader Denny Hamlin’s car. Because of this, Hamlin spun and fell back in the field while Bowman took the lead and maintained it until the chequered flag.

Hamlin, who still managed to qualify for the Last 4, couldn’t contain his anger at Bowman, who he believed cost him a race win while almost putting his first Championship title hunt in jeopardy.

Bowman, on the other hand, had a more sensible and fair assessment of this incident. The race winner didn’t take it any further by replying to Hamlin in a similar jest.

Rather, he embraced the comments and created a business opportunity out of it.

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Hendrick wants more of hacks

When the green flag waves in Phoenix, two of Rick Hendrick’s drivers will compete for the championship, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.

And although both of them would want to have a clean race, if another such incident takes place involving Denny Hamlin or any of the drivers, Rick Hendrick won’t mind that.

In fact, he welcomes his drivers making moves in an attempt to win the race.

“But if he’s a hack I’d like to have more of them.”

Also Read:  Alex Bowman’s Crew Chief Gets Brutally Honest on Denny Hamlin’s Post-Race Comments at Martinsville