Denny Hamlin experienced a dramatic setback at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend during NASCAR’s inaugural in-season tournament, when a massive crash ended his promising run. The 23XI Racing co-owner, who entered the race as the No. 1 seed, was forced out after a collision that triggered a 23-car wreck, a key moment in the event’s unfolding.
The crash was sparked when Hamlin made contact with John-Hunter Nemechek, causing Hamlin’s vehicle to spin and set off a chain reaction behind him. This chaos unexpectedly paved the way for Ty Dillon, who finished eighth and advanced to the second round of the tournament against the odds. Despite the disappointment, Hamlin pointed to a specific driver as the main cause of the crash ending his race.
How a Single Driver’s Move Changed Hamlin’s Race Outcome
Since its repaving, the EchoPark Speedway at Atlanta has acquired a reputation similar to superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, known for high-speed pack racing and large multi-car incidents. The recent event was no exception, as the so-called ‘Big One’ unfolded in a massive 23-car collision.
Initially, Hamlin considered the wreck simply a track-related accident, but after reviewing the footage and analyzing the damage, he accepted personal responsibility for causing the multifaceted crash. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin detailed that he had control of his car until Austin Cindric, positioned 17th at the time, became involved and struck him aggressively.
Hamlin explained that the first contact with Nemechek wasn’t severe and didn’t significantly harm his car, but Cindric’s impact caused major damage to Hamlin’s brakes and suspension, making it impossible to continue.
I was going to be fine until Austin Cindric’s arca brakes. I was going to be fine. I had no other suspension damage other than the right front.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver and 23XI Racing co-owner
Reflection on the Crash and the Race’s Final Moments
Though Hamlin’s elimination in the first round of the tournament was a blow, he remained optimistic about the event’s overall excitement. He described the crash as
the best thing to happen to that race,
citing how the large number of cars removed from contention opened up the track, allowing for more aggressive driving and numerous lead changes.
The race’s climax featured Chase Elliott making a thrilling last-lap pass on Brad Keselowski to secure victory. This marked Elliott’s second win at his home circuit in Atlanta and his 20th career Cup Series triumph. His win also contributed to a growing list of diverse winners this season, making him the 12th different victor in 2025 with eight races remaining before the playoffs commence.
This incident and Elliott’s success highlight the unpredictable nature of NASCAR, especially on tracks like Atlanta where repaving has altered racing dynamics. As the season progresses, the impact of strategic driving and accident avoidance continues to shape the championship chase for drivers like Hamlin and others aiming for playoff success.