Denny Hamlin sides with Noah Gragson after NASCAR – Sports News
Kevin Magnussen is embroiled in a NASCAR controversy (Image: Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin has come to Noah Gragson’s protection after his explosive argument with NASCAR debutant Kevin Magnussen.
Magnussen’s NASCAR Cup Series debut delivered flashes of promise however resulted in frustration, as the previous Formula 1 driver completed twenty seventh within the 39-car subject regardless of exhibiting aggressive tempo all through the race. The Danish driver’s afternoon was hampered by a mid-race spin and several other on-track incidents involving Front Row Motorsports’ Noah Gragson.
Tensions carried over after the checkered flag, with Gragson ready for Magnussen on pit highway earlier than confronting him. The two drivers exchanged heated phrases in a post-race altercation that reportedly lasted round 90 seconds earlier than officers stepped in to defuse the scenario and separate the pair.
Hamlin has publicly criticized the previous Haas driver for what he described as “stereotyping” NASCAR, whereas additionally backing Gragson. “If you’re coming over here for a one-off, you’ve got to show the competitors who are here full-time some respect,” Hamlin mentioned on his Actions Detrimental podcast.
“If I went and did a one-off somewhere else, I mean, I guess that’s stereotyping us and NASCAR as well, ‘You guys just run into each other. So, I think it’s okay to just power drive you into turn 12 on lap three.’ I’m not a huge fan of that.
Denny Hamlin has made his feelings clear (Image: Getty Images)
“And I have nothing against him at all. I raced around him a little bit today. He was fine, and I think what he did was wildly impressive. But yeah, I’m going to have to side with Noah on this one.”
The tension between the two drivers began on Lap 25 when Magnussen made contact with the rear of Gragson’s No. 4 Ford after braking late into a corner. Gragson responded by defending his position aggressively, leading to door-to-door contact as the battle intensified.
The rivalry escalated further late in Stage 2 when Magnussen dived to the inside in Turn 4 and sent Gragson into the outside wall. The impact damaged the right-front toe-link on Gragson’s car, ending his race prematurely and leaving him with a disappointing 35th-place finish.
Speaking to reporters after the race in San Diego, Gragson took aim at drivers transitioning from other motorsport disciplines, suggesting competitors such as Magnussen are not yet fully accustomed to the style of racing and level of respect required in NASCAR.
“I don’t want to put all of them in this group, but a lot of these open-wheel racers that come race with us… They get fenders on their cars, they get bumpers,” Gragson said. “They’re driving up the inside, barrelling up the inside, pinballing it, blasting our inside doors. I don’t know why that is. The 91 just kept erring off in there, then hit me again and ended our day.”
“It was dumb,” Magnussen mentioned after the race. “I think what pissed him off was that I bumped him, but I went in, I dived in, and after I dived, he closed the door, and I bumped him. So I said, ‘Okay, fine,’ but then that ruined his whole race, and he basically was messing around under the caution and slamming my door.
“I thought maybe we could get it out, out of his system and carry on, but he didn’t, so he ended up where he ended up.”
“I’ve watched NASCAR before, so I know that’s how you guys play it,” Magnussen mentioned when requested about why he wrecked out Gragson.
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