Nearly six years ago, tension flared between Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin following the first race of the Round of 8 at Martinsville Speedway, reigniting their rivalry. This episode, a key moment in the Joey Logano Denny Hamlin clash, involved a physical shove and heated exchanges that set the tone for their ongoing battles during the NASCAR playoffs.
A Tense Confrontation at Martinsville Speedway
In October 2019, during the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota caused Logano to suffer a rubbed tire and spin out. The two drivers briefly met on pit road to discuss the incident. Although their conversation started calmly, it abruptly ended when Logano shoved Hamlin on the shoulder and walked away. Hamlin then lunged toward Logano, prompting intervention from crew members. The conflict extended beyond the drivers as the No. 22 team’s tire technician was suspended for one race after pulling Hamlin to the ground by the back of his fire suit during the altercation.
Reflecting on the incident, Logano admitted to frustration but clarified his intentions.
“I was frustrated about the situation, obviously. I just really wanted to go over there to talk to him and get his side of the story on what happened, and he just said ‘I ran you up in the wall’ basically. It wasn’t as apologetic as I was looking for, and that probably escalated the situation too much,” Joey Logano said (via NASCAR.com).
“I shouldn’t have shoved him. For all the kids watching, that wasn’t the best thing to do. But I was frustrated, tempers were high and it’s the playoffs, so that’s what happens,” he added.
This incident at Martinsville was just one in a series of confrontations between the two, as they continued to clash on other short tracks during the 2019 season.
Hamlin Critiques Logano’s Racing Tactics at Dover
Earlier in the 2019 playoffs at Dover during the Round of 12, Logano faced a major challenge when a rear axle failure forced him to the garage and put him 24 laps behind the leaders. Despite this setback, he returned to the race and aggressively moved through the field to finish 34th. Hamlin, who had dominated much of the race from the pole position, lost ground after Logano raced hard while being significantly lapped.
Hamlin expressed his displeasure over Logano’s approach after the race.
“I get it. Everyone races hard. If you’re one lap down I get it. Even two, just not 24. It frustrates me because it’s just a lack of philosophy. All he did was piss some people off and what did he really gain? He didn’t gain anything. But he just pissed off some guys that he’s racing with now,” Hamlin said (via NASCAR.com).
Logano defended his performance by pointing to the intensity and pressure of the playoffs as factors driving his aggressive strategy.
Playoff Impact and Season Outcomes for Both Drivers
Throughout the 2019 season, Hamlin led the series with six wins and achieved a fourth-place finish in the overall Cup standings. He advanced to the Championship 4 and frequently competed near the front of the pack. Logano earned two victories and ended the year just behind Hamlin in fifth place in points.
Their rivalry underscores the fierce competition and high emotions characteristic of NASCAR’s playoff races. As both drivers have repeatedly clashed on tracks like Martinsville and Dover, the intense Joey Logano Denny Hamlin clash remains a significant storyline, illustrating the pressures that playoff contention places on relationships between top drivers. Future races are likely to continue fueling this tense rivalry, captivating fans as the drivers fight for supremacy in the Cup Series.
