Denny Hamlin celebrated his 50th NASCAR Cup Series win to a chorus of boos as a controversial race leaves drivers and fans upset in Pocono
Heavy boos rained down from the grandstands as Denny Hamlin celebrated his seventh victory at Pocono Raceway. “They can boo my rock,” said Hamlin, referring to a display at the track for its most successful drivers.
Contact while racing for the lead late in the race sent Kyle Larson into the wall. As Hamlin celebrated his second NASCAR Cup Series win of the season, fans made their displeasure loud and clear.
Denny Hamlin wins his 50th race and gets BOOED! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NHv4EAKYsU
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
A call to take two tires moved Denny Hamlin behind Larson late in the final stage. Several late cautions gave Hamlin and teammate Martin Truex Jr. opportunities to make a pass on restarts. Hamlin seized that opportunity with a move that left Larson fuming when the race ended.
After Hamlin dove to Larson’s inside, neither driver gave an inch as they raced out of turn one. Larson bounced off the wall and Hamlin pulled ahead before another caution flag flew. Afterward, Larson expressed how he felt in an extremely candid interview.
"I am pissed."@KyleLarsonRacin on Denny Hamlin. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vWrXN3GasI
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
Drivers losing their tempers
Kyle Larson was not the only driver to leave Pocono Raceway upset on Sunday. Austin Dillon and Ryan Preece had altercations with other drivers after incidents on the track. Dillon threw his helmet towards Tyler Reddick’s car under caution after they made contact, sending Dillon hard into the wall.
AUSTIN DILLON THROWS HIS HELMET AT TYLER REDDICK! 😳 #NASCAR | @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/0nYgcCtzlZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
The altercation between Ryan Preece and Corey LaJoie was not picked up by tv cameras at first. On-board cameras later showed that LaJoie had hit Preece’s car causing him to spin for the last caution. Preece then ran to LaJoie’s car after the race and pushed him while LaJoie still sat in his car.
Ryan Preece RAN to Corey LaJoie’s car after the race and had some words. 😳
🎥 : @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XQzbcc6R5o
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
What is going on with Christopher Bell?
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season has been filled with ups and downs for Christopher Bell. Currently fourth in points, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has had one of the fastest cars all year. Bell was in a familiar position following Sunday’s race where he felt disappointed despite a top-ten finish.
For the second week in a row, Bell has spun out after racing in the top five. A common theme for the #20 team has been poor pit stops leading Bell to overdrive and make mistakes.
Every week this team is near the top of the charts after practice and their lap times during the race are consistently among the fastest. This team has shown how good they can be by fighting back for top tens despite slow pit stops and spinning out.
Christopher Bell has all of the tools to become a champion in the NASCAR Cup Series. For that to happen this season Bell and his team will need to stop making unforced errors.
