Hamlin: "There was absolutely no intent" to wreck Elliott
Denny Hamlin might regret dumping Chase Elliott at Martinsville Speedway but if he’s feeling remorse, it sure didn’t show it on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Thursday.
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, crash
Scott R LePage / Motorsport Images
Hamlin insists he didn’t intentionally wreck Elliott with two laps remaining in the First Data 500. And granted, only the driver knows. But it’s hard to believe that a 12-year veteran of NASCAR’s top tour could not have simply moved a slower car out of the way without taking a competitor out altogether.
Still, Hamlin felt compelled to tweet out an apology on his way home from the track on Sunday night.
“You just think about things and obviously what I was being regretful for is just being too aggressive at that time,” Hamlin said. “I know in my head that there was absolutely no intent. I pretty much laid it all out there that it’s the first time I’d ever been in a situation like that before. I haven’t seen any tapes come up of me showing that ain’t true.
“So I think my reputation on the racetrack and the way I drive speaks for itself.”
Hamlin said his approach won’t change entering Texas Motor Speedway this weekend with only two races to determine the final four drivers that will battle for a championship at Homestead Miami Speedway.
“No, nothing will change, for sure,” Hamlin said. “Wrecks happen in racing. It has for a billion years. So, it’s not the first, won’t be the last, I can guarantee you that.”
Elliott doesn't want to talk
Hamlin has since reached out to Elliott—but to no avail.
“I’ve offered to have contact and a conversation but, you know, it's typical when someone is mad, they choose not to,” Hamlin added.
Whether or not Elliott will choose to make his point on the racetrack remains to be seen. But Hamlin, who is seventh in the standings and eight points out of fourth, is prepared for whatever comes his way.
“I’ve told them that however you want to race me is absolutely fine,” Hamlin said. “I’ll be ok with that. So I’m not worried about it. I have no time to be worried about anything like that. We have two more races to get ourselves in the final four, and Texas is the first step to doing that.”
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