Denny Hamlin’s hopes for a strong comeback at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend were dashed after a massive 23-car crash during NASCAR’s inaugural in-season tournament. As the No. 1 seed and co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin was positioned for success, but contact with John-Hunter Nemechek quickly escalated into a race-ending incident involving Austin Cindric.
Hamlin was initially involved in a collision with Nemechek that spun a large pack of cars behind him. However, it was Cindric’s subsequent impact that caused severe damage to Hamlin’s vehicle, eliminating him from the race and tournament’s first round.
Details of the Multi-Car Wreck and Hamlin’s Account
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s recent repaving has made it comparable to superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, where large crashes, often called the ‘Big One,’ are common. The massive 23-car pileup last weekend was the first major test of this transformation at the EchoPark Speedway.
Hamlin originally described the crash as a typical speedway incident, but after reviewing the footage, he acknowledged that the key turning point came when Austin Cindric’s ARCA brakes collided with his car.
On the latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained that despite the initial contact with Nemechek, his car’s condition was manageable until Cindric, running in 17th position, struck him directly. This second collision inflicted heavy damage to Hamlin’s brakes and suspension system.
I was going to be fine until Austin Cindric’s arca brakes. I was going to be fine. I had no other suspension damage other than the right front.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and 23XI Racing Co-owner
Unexpected Outcomes and Race Highlights Following the Crash
The impact of Hamlin’s crash rippled through the race, unexpectedly favoring drivers like Ty Dillon, who maneuvered through the wreckage to finish eighth. This strong finish earned Dillon a spot in the tournament’s second round, defying expectations amid the chaos.
Although Hamlin’s elimination was a significant setback, he maintained an optimistic perspective, calling the crash
“the best thing to happen to that race”
on the podcast. With many cars removed from contention, the track opened up, allowing drivers to make numerous aggressive passes and create an exciting final stage.
The race culminated with Chase Elliott overtaking Brad Keselowski on the final lap to claim victory. Elliott’s win at Atlanta marked his second at the venue and his 20th career Cup Series victory. Notably, this result made Elliott the 12th different winner of the 2025 season, which still has eight races remaining before the playoffs begin.
