Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR made the right call by setting a boundary on late-race crashes, particularly in the context of Austin Dillon’s actions. NASCAR is a contact sport, but desperate moves like Dillon’s have gone unchecked for too long. This new ruling could change that by establishing a precedent for swift action.
Hamlin, who has been wrecked by rivals in the past, supports the move. He cited an example from 2020 when Kevin Harvick’s attempt to wreck Kyle Busch at Martinsville nearly cost Hamlin his spot in the Championship 4 race. Hamlin feels it’s essential for NASCAR to establish and maintain this precedent to ensure fairness in the sport.
Traditionally, NASCAR hasn’t stripped a playoff spot from a driver who won unfairly, but Dillon’s actions, while entertaining, created a negative image for the sport. Hamlin acknowledges that drivers may still try to bend the rules, so it’s crucial for NASCAR to enforce this new standard.
He shared his personal experience, recalling how Harvick’s desperate move could have unfairly ended his championship hopes. Hamlin emphasized that such tactics shouldn’t be allowed to determine playoff spots, as they undermine the sport’s integrity.
However, Hamlin may find himself in a tricky situation soon. With two races left in the regular season, his own driver, Bubba Wallace, might have to resort to aggressive tactics to secure a playoff spot. It will be interesting to see how Hamlin responds if Wallace finds himself in a similar situation, especially after advocating for stricter enforcement of fair play in NASCAR.
Overall, Hamlin hopes that NASCAR and its drivers can learn from incidents like this to improve the sport. He believes that consistent enforcement of rules will lead to better racing and a more fair competition.
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