Denny Hamlin experienced a mix of frustration and fortune during the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte Roval. The crucial moment revolved around a missed opportunity driven by Hamlin’s failure to notice Ross Chastain closing in on him, which was compounded by Hamlin’s spotter not alerting him to Chastain’s approach. This unexpected oversight overshadowed Hamlin’s race and remains a source of regret.
Despite finishing 23rd and trailing his competitor Chastain by two positions, Hamlin benefited from accumulated wins and playoff points gathered earlier in the season. These points effectively secured his advancement to the next round of the playoffs, preserving his championship hopes. In contrast, Chastain, racing for Trackhouse Racing alongside Shane van Gisbergen—who claimed his fifth road course victory in six attempts this season—came in 21st and fell short of qualifying for the upcoming Round of Eight in Las Vegas next Sunday.
Hamlin’s Explanation of the Clash With Chastain
Hamlin detailed his perspective in an interview with USA Network, revealing that he was unaware of Chastain’s proximity during the contact. He aimed to take his turn tightly, assuming he had enough space, but did not anticipate that Chastain was converging on the exact same spot on the track. This lack of information was a major factor in the incident’s outcome.
No, I did not (know Chastain was so close),
Hamlin admitted.
“I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know if I was racing for 10th or 30th. I didn’t know anything about anything on that last run. I wasn’t very good. I know I missed my marks at times, just didn’t do a good job driving.”
He continued by explaining the communication gap with his spotter.
I didn’t even hear anything from the spotter about closing or anything, so I didn’t know anything about anything going on. But obviously, the No. 1 was in a position there, and we got caught in it. I wish I would have known. The No. 1 was slipping; I was not great, but I’m like, this is another spot in the metric to move up for qualifying for next week. That was my motivation. I guess I was racing for about 18th or so [he actually wound up finishing 23rd but still advances to the next round].
Hamlin made clear that he holds no animosity toward Chastain regarding the incident, expressing regret mainly about his own unawareness.
I don’t fault Ross at all. I just wish I knew so I could have been either prepared or made a different decision.
Implications for the Playoffs and What’s Next
This incident highlighted the critical importance of awareness and communication on the track, particularly in tightly contested races that impact the playoff standings. Hamlin’s misjudgment, coupled with spotter silence, may have cost him a better finishing position, but his earlier season success still keeps him in contention for the championship.
Ross Chastain’s failure to secure enough points despite his effort underscores how every position and point matters in NASCAR’s playoff format. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen’s dominant win on the road course marks a noteworthy achievement, continuing his remarkable streak this season. The upcoming Round of Eight in Las Vegas promises to be intense as drivers regroup after this critical event, with Hamlin keenly aware of how minor oversights can impact championship dreams.
