In last Sunday’s Daytona 500, Riley Herbst of 23XI Racing made a bold maneuver near the finish line that led to a collision involving Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing. Herbst aimed to leap from third to first place by pushing past Keselowski, but the move was mistimed, resulting in a chaotic finish where Tyler Reddick ultimately claimed victory. The incident and its aftermath have stirred debate, especially after team owner Denny Hamlin voiced support for Herbst in a way that upset many fans.
Details of the Crash and Hamlin’s Defense of Herbst
As the race neared its conclusion, Herbst surged toward the checkered flag, attempting a high-stakes pass. He tried to avoid contact with Chase Elliott, which according to Hamlin, caused him to slow prematurely. Hamlin, speaking on his podcast Actions Detrimental, argued that this hesitation allowed Keselowski to maintain momentum and overtake. He stated,
“Coming to the line, Riley is coming up really fast to the No. 9 [Chase Elliott]. Instead of hitting him, and probably then, shooting him past the No. 45 [Tyler Reddick], he hits the brake to not hit him. He says, ‘I don’t wanna touch him. So, I am gonna go high.’ That slowing in momentum allowed the No. 6 [Keselowski] to get there. The No. 6 was not getting there. We are living in fairy tale land if people think the No. 6 was gonna get there.”
Hamlin’s perspective saw Herbst’s caution as the true cause behind Keselowski’s opportunity to finish strong.
Fans and Co-Host Challenge Hamlin’s Interpretation
However, Hamlin’s commentary faced instant pushback. His co-host Jared Allen challenged the claim, emphasizing Keselowski’s actual speed during the finish. Fans echoed this sentiment on social media, criticizing Hamlin for bias toward his driver. One user posted,
“This is definitely one of his worst takes. He’s just coping, though. He wants to believe Reddick would’ve won either way when that definitely isn’t objectively true lol.”
Another fan remarked,
“I like ‘Actions Detrimental’, but man it seems Denny is incapable of being objective with anything regarding 23XI or JGR. ‘The 6 was NOT getting there. We’re living in fairy tail land if anybody thinks the 6 was getting there.’ Even Jared called him on it.”
These responses reveal skepticism about Hamlin’s objectivity and his defense of Herbst.
Additional Criticism Reflects Frustration Among Fans
Some comments expressed disappointment more than anger, while others pointed out a recurring theme in Hamlin’s commentary. One observer noted,
“This is absolutely nothing new from this guy lol.”
Another asked Hamlin to consider outside expert analysis, writing,
“Denny’s view is highly improbable and very skewed. Needs to view Letarte & McMurrays Inside the Race on YouTube.”
A short but telling comment summed it up: Denny’s gotta Denny… The collective reaction suggests that many fans doubt Hamlin’s ability to fairly critique incidents involving his 23XI Racing team or Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
Riley Herbst Responds and Keselowski Reacts
Following the race, Herbst gave his account during a post-race interview, defending his actions. He said he intended to race side-by-side with both Elliott and Reddick, aiming for a dramatic three-wide photo finish, but admitted uncertainty about the cause of the crash, suggesting it was “a matter of inches.”
In contrast, Brad Keselowski reacted harshly to Herbst’s move, expressing frustration and criticism. He said,
“Oh, the [No.] 35 [Herbst] just wrecked me out of nowhere for no reason. That was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen. He had no chance of blocking my run. Pretty stupid.”
Keselowski’s comments highlight the tension between veterans and younger drivers regarding aggressive racing tactics.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Challenges for Drivers
This controversy sets the stage for heightened scrutiny as drivers gear up for the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, also known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, scheduled for this coming weekend. The ongoing rivalry and differing viewpoints between team owners, drivers, and fans will likely continue to influence narratives as the NASCAR season unfolds. How Hamlin addresses the backlash in future podcast episodes and whether Keselowski responds to Hamlin’s defense of Herbst remain topics of interest among the racing community.
This is definitely one of his worst takes. He’s just coping though. He wants to believe Reddick would’ve won either way when that definitely isn’t objectively true lol
— Emil Borchert (@EmilBorchert) February 17, 2026
I like ‘Actions Detrimental’, but man it seems Denny is incapable of being objective with anything regarding 23XI or JGR.
“The 6 was NOT getting there. We’re living in fairy tail land if anybody thinks the 6 was getting there.”
😑😒
Even Jared called him on it..cc @keselowski pic.twitter.com/jOQQJy2pRi
— "Shine" the Mechanic (@MechanicShine) February 16, 2026
