“Tired of Being the Example,” Denny Hamlin Reiterated on NASCAR’s Inconsistency Citing Larson-Preece Bristol Bashing

Published 04/12/2023, 9:14 PM EDT

The past few weeks have been turbulent for NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams. Penalties and fines have been abundant, affecting several prominent organizations. Hendrick Motorsports faced numerous setbacks due to penalties, and Kaulig Racing soon followed suit. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin also faced consequences, as NASCAR imposed a $50,000 fine and a 25-point deduction on him earlier.

In the midst of this ongoing conflict between NASCAR and its participants, Hamlin weighed in on the Kyle Larson-Ryan Preece incident at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The seasoned racer expressed concerns about NASCAR’s inconsistency in meting out penalties and fines, adding to the intrigue surrounding these recent events.

Denny Hamlin talks about NASCAR’s inconsistency

Hamlin, in his Actions Detrimental podcast, stated, “I mean, now you got the media in Preece’s face after trying to get him to admit that he knocked out Larson... If drivers could speak freely, they would speak freely, but they can’t.”

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“I mean, I can’t imagine the drivers from the 80s 90s, and 2000s back in the day being muzzled with their comments and not being able to say, ‘f*ck yeah, he rode me in the fence. I got him back.'”

Furthermore, The JGR driver emphasized that it’s too late to change the precedent. He urged NASCAR to ensure consistency. Adding, “I’m tired of being the example...” and calling for clarity in the rules, he also highlighted the absence of any regulation specifically addressing intentional contact between drivers.

“Done It to Me” – Denny Hamlin Calls Out “Crybaby” Kyle Larson While Shockingly Backing Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Driver’s Retaliation

Hamlin concluded his argument by saying, “So every wreck now can be should be investigated for race manipulation… Every wreck or incident or contact should be investigated as wrecking or spinning another vehicle. Because they set that precedent and that’s what they want.”

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Is Consistency Lacking in NASCAR Penalty Decisions?

At the Phoenix race’s penultimate lap, Hamlin made an aggressive move, causing contact with Chastain’s car. Both drivers lost positions. Later, on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin confirmed his intention, citing previous on-track conflicts.

NASCAR penalized Hamlin for violating the Member Code of Conduct, addressing race manipulation and intentional wrecks. However, Hamlin’s appeal proved unsuccessful, as the board upheld the penalty. This contrasted with Hendrick Motorsports’ favorable outcome, where the team regained deducted points.

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WATCH THIS STORY: ‘No Clue How That Is a Penalty” – Kyle Busch Exposes NASCAR’s ’Contradictory’ Side After Being Left in Disbelief on Denny Hamlin’s Controversial Verdict

Amid ongoing penalties and fines, concerns rise over NASCAR’s consistency in enforcing rules. This inconsistency adds a layer of intrigue to the sport.

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Written by:

Srijan Mandal is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master's Degree in Journalism from a top institution, Srijan has written over 1000 articles across various platforms. His passion for racing began at a young age and has only grown stronger over time.

Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh