Denny Hamlin did not hold back when discussing the controversy between Ty Dillon and Austin Cindric during the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas. The veteran driver believes that NASCAR penalties should be based on intent rather than just the severity of the outcome.
The incident occurred on Lap 4 when Kaulig Racing’s Ty Dillon made contact with Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, forcing him off the track. Cindric quickly retaliated by clipping Dillon’s right rear, causing the #10 Chevrolet to spin out. Dillon later suggested that Cindric’s move was intentional payback rather than a racing incident. However, NASCAR chose not to penalize either driver.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on the situation, stating that he wasn’t sure if the incident warranted a penalty since he lacked access to key data. He noted that NASCAR typically gives the benefit of the doubt in cases where responsibility seems evenly split. Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin criticized NASCAR’s tendency to let the severity of an accident influence penalty decisions. He argued that if Dillon had hit the wall harder or bounced back into the track, the conversation might be different, which he believes is an unfair way to determine penalties.
Meanwhile, Hamlin has faced his own struggles in the 2025 season, finishing outside the top 20 in two of the first three races. However, his sixth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway offered a bright spot. As the season continues, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team will focus on making adjustments to improve their performance and secure better results.
Denny Hamlin’s slow start to the 2025 Cup Series season has sharply contrasted with the strong performance of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Christopher Bell. While Hamlin has struggled, Bell has secured victories in two of the last three races after a disappointing Daytona 500 finish.
Reflecting on his rough start, Hamlin admitted that the early-season schedule hasn’t suited him. Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, he pointed out that the first three races—including two superspeedways and a road course—have historically been challenging for him. He acknowledged that superspeedway races, in particular, give him anxiety since he often gets caught in crashes, despite not making mistakes himself. He noted that in such races, it’s entirely possible to end up with three consecutive 30th-place finishes through no fault of his own.
