GREAT: In May 2023, a heated on-track incident during the Coca-Cola 600 led Denny Hamlin to publicly call for the suspension of fellow NASCAR driver Chase Elliott. Hamlin accused Elliott of intentionally hooking his car in the right rear—a move considered one of the most dangerous in stock car racing. The crash ended both drivers’ races and reignited

In May 2023, a heated on-track incident during the Coca-Cola 600 led Denny Hamlin to publicly call for the suspension of fellow NASCAR driver Chase Elliott. Hamlin accused Elliott of intentionally hooking his car in the right rear—a move considered one of the most dangerous in stock car racing. The crash ended both drivers’ races and reignited discussions around intentional wrecking and driver accountability. Speaking to Fox Sports, Hamlin didn’t hold back, calling Elliott’s actions a “tantrum” and saying, “He shouldn’t be racing next week.” He drew a direct comparison to Bubba Wallace, who had been suspended in 2022 for a similar maneuver on Kyle Larson.

Hamlin’s comments were not just emotional—they pressed NASCAR to enforce its rules consistently. Shortly after, NASCAR reviewed the footage and handed Elliott a one-race suspension for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Though Elliott denied any intent to wreck Hamlin, the governing body sided with Hamlin’s interpretation, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy on retaliatory or dangerous driving.

The incident became a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about driver conduct and safety in the sport. While some fans defended Elliott, citing the gray areas of racing contact, others agreed with Hamlin’s stance on accountability. NASCAR’s decision to suspend Elliott mirrored Wallace’s punishment and underlined the organization’s commitment to maintaining safety standards, regardless of a driver’s popularity. Hamlin’s vocal stance, while controversial, likely influenced NASCAR’s swift and decisive response to a high-stakes situation.