Denny Hamlin sharply criticized NASCAR’s decision to delay the caution flag during the Chicago Street Race on Sunday, specifically following Cody Ware’s severe crash at Turn 6 on the next-to-last lap. Hamlin argued on the Actions Detrimental podcast Monday that NASCAR should have immediately thrown the yellow flag after Ware lost his brakes and collided with the tire barriers, rather than waiting nearly 35 seconds.
By the time the caution was finally issued, Shane van Gisbergen, the race leader, had already taken the white flag, meaning the following flag would conclude the race. Hamlin felt this delay was a mistake that compromised safety and fairness.
Details of the Incident and NASCAR’s Response
Ware’s crash was particularly dangerous, with the driver hitting the tire barriers head-on at roughly 93 mph. After the incident, Ware radioed his team asking for assistance. According to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, NASCAR initially did not grasp the severity of the crash and hoped Ware could drive away on his own, similar to an incident involving Kyle Larson the previous year.
An earlier caution would have triggered an overtime finish in downtown Chicago, something NASCAR seemed hesitant to call, possibly due to impending weather concerns. Hamlin suggested that bad weather moving in, including the threat of lightning, influenced the officials’ hesitation.
Hamlin on the Officiating and Race Outcome
Hamlin was blunt about the quality of officiating during the event, stressing the need for immediate caution in such dangerous circumstances.
This was not a good officiated race. No question about it [it should be an instant yellow]. That was a massive hit,
Hamlin stated.
You have got to throw the caution immediately. That’s not a caution I would have liked to have seen by the way.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Despite his criticism, Hamlin expressed respect for the race’s final result. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the importance of declaring a fair winner.
I’m always going to be on the side of crown the fair winner. The fair winner was SVG. And yes, if you get into a green-white-checkered, you could have a lot of issues. But you know what, that’s part of the deal,
Hamlin said.
Sometimes, you have things that you wish didn’t happen in the course of your event, but that’s just bad luck. Regardless of what they tell you, I think no question, rain coming in, the possibility of lightning, the possibility of a complete shitshow worth of overtime — all of that played a factor, in my opinion.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Analysis of NASCAR’s Officiating Delays
Hamlin questioned NASCAR officials’ claims that they did not see the extent of the impact during Ware’s crash, challenging their ability to properly assess safety conditions.
… They’re saying they didn’t see how big the hit was — I don’t understand that. You are not doing your job as officiating if you don’t see — it’s one thing to look and see there’s a car over there. You gotta know how they got over there. … I’m very certain in my belief that there was a lot of factors, some bad weather moving in place, that played a factor in when that caution was called.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Cody Ware Reflects on Crash and Caution Timing
Ware walked away from the heavy collision, sharing his surprise at how long it took NASCAR to respond.
Yeah, I mean especially given the speed of how fast we were going into the barrier,
Ware told Frontstretch.
Obviously I’m not going anywhere, there’s not much I can do at that point. But obviously at that point I’m just focused on getting out of the car and getting to a safe spot.
—Cody Ware, NASCAR driver
Implications for NASCAR’s Future Safety and Officiating
The controversy surrounding NASCAR’s decision to delay the caution flag has highlighted concerns over race safety protocols and officiating transparency. Hamlin’s comments emphasize pressure on NASCAR to improve real-time incident responses, especially during high-stakes events on street circuits where accidents can be severe and weather factors unpredictable.
As NASCAR continues to grow in urban venues like Chicago, officials may face additional scrutiny on how swiftly and appropriately they handle crashes. The sporting impact could include stronger calls for better communication systems and clearer guidelines for when to deploy caution flags to protect drivers and ensure fair competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. Since then, he has achieved an amazing career. Hamlin has won 51 Cup Series races and the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020). Alongside these victories, he has also made millions of dollars.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Last year, 23XI and Front Row took legal action against NASCAR because they didn’t agree to new charter renewal deals. They wanted a judge to temporarily acknowledge them as chartered teams for the current season. However, on Thursday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, decided in favor of NASCAR.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. His huge $65 million fortune comes from his career earnings, sponsorships, owning a team, and real estate investments. Hamlin’s wealth comes from: ✔ Big NASCAR race winnings and contracts. ✔ Long-lasting sponsorship agreements with FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. The Key to Hamlin’s Wealth:
Hamlin earns a lot from NASCAR races, both from winning and signing contracts.
He has long-lasting sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
He also co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, which makes him a businessman outside racing.
