RFK Racing Reveals Real Challenge Due to #11 After Denny Hamlin’s Heated Radio Exchange

When Mother Nature intervened at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell emerged as the fortunate race leader. The rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 handed Bell his second win of the 2024 Cup Series season, but it also brought pit road into the spotlight.

Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Mavis Tire Toyota Camry, faced challenges exiting his pit stall due to Chris Buescher’s positioning. Buescher parked early in his stall, obstructing Hamlin’s path. During the first caution on lap 89, Hamlin lost five spots in the running order as he maneuvered around Buescher. The situation repeated itself on lap 202, costing Hamlin four more positions.

There was some drama between Denny Hamlin and Chris Buescher during a pit challenge. Pit stops are crucial moments in a race, where every second counts. Tempers can flare, especially when positions are at stake. Hamlin, known for his intensity, had a heated exchange with Buescher, adding fuel to the fire of their rivalry.

Hamlin asks his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, to go over to Buescher’s pit and demand they do something. Gabehart’s response is both stern and humorous: “Brother, if I do anything more than I’ve already done, we’re going to FIGHT! Do you understand? I’ve done all I can do!” But Hamlin isn’t backing down. He replies, “That’s what I’m going to do next time. Do you hear me, 17? Park in your Go**amn box! I will stomp on your bumper!” 

But that’s not all. Recently, the team shared a post on X that caught everyone’s attention. The man with “HOPS” was none other than Dalton Leonard, the rear tire changer for the No. 17 car. During a pit stop on Sunday, Leonard had to jump over the No. 11’s right front tire to begin servicing his own car. It’s moments like these that showcase the agility and precision required in the high-pressure environment of pit stops.

During a weather delay, Hamlin and Buescher engaged in a civil discussion about their pit stall dilemma. Crew chiefs Gabehart and Scott Graves joined in, trying to find common ground. Cooler heads prevailed, but the tension remained.

Buescher, too, faced difficulties exiting his pit box due to John Hunter Nemechek’s shallow parking in the stall ahead of him. Buescher expressed his frustration with Nemechek, adding some colorful language to the mix.

Interestingly, Nemechek received an uncontrolled tire penalty during that same pit stop. Both Hamlin and Buescher attempted in-race adjustments to resolve the issue. The No. 11 crew even set up a new tape mark a few feet behind Hamlin’s original parking spot to improve pit stops.

Throwback: Denny Hamlin vs. Chase Elliott at the Coca-Cola 600

On that fateful evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the Coca-Cola 600 roared to life. Denny Hamlin, piloting the No. 11 Toyota, and Chase Elliott, behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet, were locked in a fierce duel for position. Lap 185 would forever etch their names into NASCAR lore.

Exiting Turn 4, Hamlin’s car slid high, leaving him vulnerable. Elliott seized the opportunity, diving to the inside. But fate had other plans. The two cars made contact—Elliott’s No. 9 right-rear quarter panel met Hamlin’s No. 11, sending him nose-first into the unforgiving wall. The crowd gasped; the tension was palpable.

Hamlin minced no words after the crash. “He right-rear hooked me down the straightaway,” he declared, drawing parallels to a similar incident involving Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson in the previous season. Wallace’s suspension for intentionally wrecking Larson served as a precedent, and Hamlin believed Elliott should face the same discipline.

Elliott, however, denied any ill intent. “Once you hit the wall in these things, you can’t drive them anymore,” he explained. His No. 9 Chevrolet bore the scars of battle, and he attributed the contact to the damage. No retaliation, just an unfortunate circumstance, he maintained.

NASCAR took notice. A spokesperson confirmed an investigation into the incident, leaving fans and pundits speculating about potential penalties. Meanwhile, the clash between Hamlin and Elliott added a layer of drama to an already rain-shortened race.

As the dust settled, opinions divided. Was it a tantrum or a racing incident? Should Elliott be sidelined?

Denny Hamlin’s Demand and NASCAR’s Verdict: The Chase Elliott Suspension

In the aftermath of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin didn’t mince words. He demanded that Chase Elliott face suspension for their on-track clash. But what led to this heated exchange?

During the race, Hamlin and Elliott found themselves entangled. Exiting Turn 4, Elliott’s car scraped the wall, and in the ensuing chaos, he made contact with Hamlin’s right rear. Hamlin’s frustration was palpable: “He right-rear hooked me in the middle of the straightaway,” he declared. “Yes, it was a tantrum. He shouldn’t be racing next week.”

NASCAR took the incident seriously. Elton Sawyer, senior vice president of competition, examined all available resources, including SMT (Steering, Throttle, Braking) data. And their conclusion? Elliott intentionally turned into Hamlin’s car. Hendrick Motorsports chose not to appeal the penalty, and Chase Elliott faced a one-race suspension.

The SMT data, shared by Hamlin, revealed Elliott’s steering input at the moment of impact. It left no room for doubt: Elliott had deliberately caused the collision. While Elliott claimed his car wouldn’t steer after hitting the wall, NASCAR’s verdict stood firm.

NASCAR officials took swift action, citing Sections 4.3.A and 4.4.C & D of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct. These sections address proper conduct and actions detrimental to stock car racing. Elliott’s suspension extended through the next Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, emphasized the seriousness of the incident. He stated that drivers must handle on-track conflicts differently, avoiding actions that endanger fellow competitors. Elliott, who missed several races earlier in the season due to injury, faced his seventh race absence.

Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Corey LaJoie would drive the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Elliott’s absence. The penalty would not be appealed, and the team planned to request a playoff waiver.

Chase Elliott’s waiver for suspension and injury raised ask for Kyle Larson’s waiver by missing Coke 600 in 2024