Denny Hamlin offered insight into a tense confrontation between Chase Briscoe‘s crew chief and NASCAR officials following the #19 Toyota’s removal from the Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway. After Briscoe was caught in a large crash, the team attempted extensive repairs, but NASCAR ruled the car too damaged to continue, leaving Hamlin surprised by the decision and the reaction it sparked.
Conflict Over Car Condition Leads to Crew Chief’s Outburst
The incident unfolded after an 18-car wreck, which was initiated by Denny Hamlin, left Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota badly impacted. Briscoe’s team dedicated about an hour to repairing the vehicle, hoping to get back in the race. However, NASCAR officials detected a bend in the chassis and decided the car could not safely return to the track. This ruling enraged Briscoe’s crew chief, James Small, who confronted the officials directly.
Reflecting on the incident during the “Actions Detrimental” podcast on June 30, Hamlin described the intensity of the moment, revealing the heated exchange between Small and the NASCAR official. He said,
“I saw James Small and one of the head NASCAR officials nose to nose when they told him he was done. They had been working on that 19-car for an hour, and then he must have told James that they were done because something was bent that is not replaceable……And James Small was pissed. I think he wakes up pissed,” he said. [29:35 onwards]
Hamlin also expressed his disbelief at how badly the car was perceived, commenting on its appearance after being towed off the track,
“And I looked at the 19 cars. I was very surprised to see him towed into the garage; it looked fine to me,” he added.
The ruling left Chase Briscoe in 35th place for the event, trailing by ten positions behind his competitor in the In-Season Challenge, Noah Gragson, who advanced along with Ryan Preece of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Chase Briscoe Aims for Redemption at Upcoming Road Courses
Following a disappointing day at Atlanta, Chase Briscoe remains optimistic as the NASCAR season progresses to road courses at Chicago Street Course and Sonoma Raceway. Despite not securing a top 10 finish in his previous starts at Chicago, Briscoe points to a recent victory at Pocono Raceway as a positive indicator moving forward.
In remarks shared with Speedway Digest, Briscoe stated,
“Looking forward to two road courses coming up. I think our road course program has been pretty good. Hopefully a JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) car or a Toyota can win. Just unfortunate day for us,” he said via Speedway Digest.
However, data shows that Chicago and Sonoma have historically been challenging venues for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), with average finishes of 21st and 24th place respectively. As NASCAR enters the second round of the In-Season Challenge, the team’s progress on road courses will be closely watched.
Currently, Ty Gibbs is JGR’s only representative advancing to the next In-Season Challenge stage, after eliminating Justin Haley with a 15th-place result at Echopark. Fans can catch the action from the Chicago Street Race live on TNT Sports on Sunday, July 6, at 2 PM ET.
What This Means for Briscoe and the JGR Team
The clash between the crew chief and NASCAR officials highlights the pressures teams face in high-stakes competition, particularly when critical calls end their race efforts. For Briscoe and JGR, recovering from the Atlanta setback will require stronger performances on their upcoming road courses, where they have struggled in recent seasons. Their ability to bounce back could influence their standing not just in the In-Season Challenge but also in the overall championship battle.
Denny Hamlin’s candid remarks offer a rare glimpse into the frustration behind the scenes, emphasizing how close and contentious NASCAR competition remains as the season unfolds.