During Saturday night’s NASCAR race at Bristol, John Hunter Nemechek and Denny Hamlin were at the center of a wreck that prematurely ended Chase Elliott’s run. On Lap 315, Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports car was spun head-on into the wall after contact involving Nemechek’s vehicle, an incident that sparked conflicting accounts among the drivers and their teams.
While Elliott blamed Nemechek’s car for the collision, Nemechek and his spotter asserted that it was Hamlin who forced Nemechek into Elliott, triggering the crash. Nemechek himself admitted over the team radio,
“Tell the 9 I’m sorry, I got run over (by Hamlin),”
acknowledging the chain reaction set off by Hamlin’s contact.
Determining the Sequence of Events in the Collision
Television replays and commentary from broadcast announcers showed a complex moment leading to the wreck. Elliott appeared to be moving between Austin Cindric and Nemechek when the initial contact occurred. Nemechek made contact with Elliott’s car just before Hamlin struck the rear of Nemechek’s vehicle. Following the first hit, Nemechek abruptly slowed down, which contributed to the subsequent crash.
USA TV analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton reviewed multiple camera angles and concluded that Nemechek was the first to make contact with Elliott. Letarte and Burton explained that Nemechek’s hit caused Elliott to lose control and spin. Shortly afterward, Hamlin impacted Nemechek’s car, leading Nemechek to rebound into Elliott again and forcing Elliott into the wall.
Elliott’s Perspective Amid the Confusion
Despite the detailed analysis, Elliott expressed frustration, suggesting the incident was less about blame and more about the chaotic dynamics on the track.
“It was just a game of how quickly could you get to the bottom for a few laps and to preserve your tires,”
he said. Elliott believed he was making a smart move when the 50 car got ahead of him, and he was trying to regain position when the unexpected collision occurred.
Reflecting on the crash, Elliott remarked,
“I don’t know if (Nemechek) had gotten hit or if I just stacked the lane up that much. Nonetheless, it happened and it’s done.”
Later to reporters, he added that he thought he was clear between Cindric and Nemechek and was unsure if Nemechek was pushed by another car or caught off guard by Elliott’s move, saying,
“But nonetheless, it happened, and it was done. It is what it is, it sucks, and I’m sure that’ll be it.”
Outcomes for Elliott and Implications Moving Forward
The wreck immediately ended Elliott’s chances for a strong finish at Bristol, resulting in a 38th-place position. Despite the disappointing result, Elliott remains secure in advancing to the NASCAR playoffs Round of 12. The incident highlights the tensions and split-second decisions that define racing at Bristol, especially among top contenders.
With Nemechek explicitly blaming Hamlin for initiating the crash and Elliott caught in the crossfire, the event is likely to be a point of discussion among teams and analysts as the playoffs continue. How this affects driver relationships and race strategies in upcoming events remains to be seen, but the Bristol wreck underscores the unpredictable nature of racing and its impact on championship runs.
