During last Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International, a late-race incident involving Austin Hill triggered strong reactions from NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin. With only nine laps remaining in the 82-lap contest, Hill and Michael McDowell were competing fiercely for second place.
As the two drivers maneuvered through a crucial corner near the wall, Hill, following closely behind McDowell, clipped the rear of McDowell’s No. 11 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. This contact caused McDowell to spin out, hit the wall, and slide across the track, disrupting several other competitors. The debate quickly emerged over whether Hill’s move was deliberate and if he could have eased off before making contact.
Speaking on the Actions Detrimental Podcast, Hamlin expressed his disappointment with Hill’s decision.
“He could’ve lifted. He probably should have lifted. But he didn’t. He’s just not going to get the benefit of the doubt from the general public.”
“Here’s what he didn’t take into account,” Denny Hamlin further explained. “That a part of the racetrack where the spotters have no idea where you’re at. Thinking that Michael McDowell is going to know that you’re there, at that portion of the track, there’s no chance.”
While Hill managed to secure a top-five finish, McDowell’s race ended in disappointment with a 25th-place result. McDowell, who primarily competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 71 Spire Motorsports car, was significantly impacted by this incident despite his Xfinity Series participation being part-time.
Hamlin Expresses Frustration Over NASCAR’s NextGen Car Decisions
Denny Hamlin has repeatedly voiced his displeasure with NASCAR’s handling of the NextGen car, which was introduced in 2022. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver believes the sport has regressed, largely due to the reduction in engine horsepower.
Hamlin advocates for increased power and criticized the leadership responsible for ongoing decisions affecting the cars.
“We’ve just steadily progressed our way back and back and back and back and taken horsepower away more and more and more. These are decisions that get made from beyond our offices. These are 10th-floor decisions, and let’s just say us drivers are on the third floor.”
“I hate to say no business is immune to bad decisions. I think the NASCAR business has made some horrible decisions over the last given amount of time. Eventually, it catches up,” he added.
Looking Ahead to the Cook Out 400 at Richmond
Following the heated Watkins Glen race and ongoing concerns over car performance, Hamlin will compete next at the Cook Out 400 held at Richmond Raceway. The 400-lap event is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on USA Network. Fans can also follow live updates via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This upcoming race offers Hamlin an opportunity to demonstrate his driving skill amid the current turmoil, even as the Denny Hamlin Austin Hill controversy and frustrations with NASCAR’s decisions continue to simmer within the racing community.
