The NASCAR Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway ended with several intense moments in the final stage, including multiple cautions that cost Brad Keselowski a potential victory and ultimately handed the win to William Byron. Veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who was involved in the turmoil, identified Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson as the primary contributors to the chaotic conclusion, blaming their aggressive tactics for the wrecks.
During a recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin detailed how the Hendrick Motorsports pair—both recent NASCAR champions—used questionable racing strategies that disrupted the flow of the race and heightened the risk for all competitors. According to Hamlin, Elliott and Larson employed a sneaky tactic of lagging behind the main pack before rapidly surging forward to create a dangerous multi-car scenario.
Hamlin Details How Strategic Moves Sparked Multi-Car Wrecks
Hamlin explained that Elliott and Larson purposely sat back by about three car lengths before suddenly accelerating, attempting to squeeze through tight spaces four-wide with other drivers. This maneuver, he insisted, threw the entire group’s momentum off balance and led directly to the crashes. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver also criticized NASCAR for failing to penalize this behavior, which he believes is encouraged by the drivers’ instructors aiming to push their limits without consequence.
Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson laying back three car lengths on the field and then getting a run and going four-wide, that’s what causes the wrecks…Yeah, but you’re not allowed to do that… I think it’s what their driver instructor is telling them to do. Do it as much as you can get away with it. —Denny Hamlin, via Actions Detrimental
Hamlin urged race officials to enforce clearer boundaries in order to prevent such dangerous tactics, emphasizing that the actions of Elliott and Larson showed a blatant disregard for the safety of the drivers around them.
But what I’m calling on is NASCAR officiating to do something about it, because it’s a complete disregard for the people that you’re laying back from. You’re just winning to stick them in a four-wide situation where you know they’re going to wreck, or someone’s going to wreck, and you just don’t care. —Denny Hamlin
Hamlin Declares that Elliott and Larson “Deserved to Wreck” After Risky Moves
Continuing his candid evaluation, Hamlin described how both Larson and Elliott consistently sought gaps during restarts that forced the field into dangerous four-car-wide arrangements. This approach, Hamlin said, inevitably led to collision scenarios.
They lay back so much, they must have been running 10 miles an hour faster, probably more than that, than the cars in front of them when they all took off, and then they both tried to shoot the gap at the same time in the middle. They both deserved to wreck. —Denny Hamlin
Despite their aggressive racing styles, Larson and Elliott expressed frustration over the incident on radio communications, particularly feeling let down by a teammate’s actions during the duel. However, Hamlin suggested that their own choices on track largely contributed to the chaos, leaving little room for sympathy towards them.
Potential Implications for NASCAR’s Rule Enforcement and Future Races
Hamlin’s condemnation highlights ongoing tensions about acceptable strategies and safety within NASCAR’s competitive environment. His call for NASCAR officials to intervene and redefine limits signals mounting pressure on the sport’s governance to enhance race oversight. With drivers pushing boundaries on tactics like laying back and executing sudden four-wide moves, questions remain on how officials will balance competition and driver safety going forward.
This incident at Iowa Speedway will likely prompt officials and teams to reevaluate conduct during restarts and high-intensity moments, as the risk of multi-car wrecks continues to pose threats to the sport’s progression. How these developments affect driver behavior and race dynamics in upcoming events remains a story to watch.
