U.S. NASCAR suspends Chase Elliott for intentionally colliding with Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR penalized Chase Elliott for one race on Tuesday, less than a day after the five-time most popular driver and former Cup champion intentionally crashed Denny Hamlin at the Coca-Cola 600.
Hendrick Motorsports announced in a statement that it would not appeal the suspension, and that Corey Lajoie will replace Elliott in the No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend at Gateway, north of St. Louis.
“We understand NASCAR’s need to maintain consistency in its officiating,” Hendrick Motorsports stated.
Elliott denied intentionally colliding with Hamlin with a risky left hook during Monday night’s rain-rescheduled race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Hamlin responded with simulated data, which he shared on social media after the incident, claiming that it erased “all doubt” that the crash was intentional. On his Tuesday podcast, he doubled down on calls for Elliott’s suspension.
Hamlin owns the vehicle raced by Bubba Wallace, who was suspended one race last year for intentionally hooking Kyle Larson in a race in Las Vegas. The move is regarded one of the most hazardous in NASCAR.
Elliott was suspended by NASCAR under a rulebook clause titled “Member Code of Conduct.” The restrictions referred to in this section include “removing another competitor from championship contention in a dangerous manner when not racing for position based on the available evidence and specific circumstances of the incident.”
“It was an intentional act by Chase, in our opinion, after reviewing all of the available resources,” NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer told Sirius NASCAR Radio.
Hamlin said he was so angry after the collision that he wanted to fight Elliott, alleging his opponent had a “tantrum” on the track and “shouldn’t be racing next week.” “Right rear hooks are completely unacceptable.”
Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion and son of Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, denies purposely damaging Hamlin.
“Once you hit the wall in these things, you can’t drive them anymore,” Elliott explained after leaving the infield care facility on Monday. “So unfortunately not, no, just an unfortunate circumstance.”
On Tuesday’s episode of his podcast “Actions Detrimental,” Hamlin stated that Elliott’s actions were a calculated retaliation for their previous encounter.
“He couldn’t provide any explanation because he didn’t have a reason for hanging left. “You know he obviously didn’t want to admit it,” Hamlin explained.
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