The recent Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway descended into a scene of chaos with frequent interruptions, setting a season-high of 12 caution periods that stalled the Cup Series for 72 laps. The race, held last weekend, quickly shifted from a competitive speed event to a frustrating battle of attrition, leading to widespread criticism within the NASCAR community. Amid this turmoil, the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/chase-elliott/”>Chase Elliott NASCAR controversy intensified as emotions flared following risky maneuvers by top drivers.

During the event, 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson expressed his frustration over team radio in a profanity-laced outburst, reflecting the tense atmosphere. However, both Larson and fellow star Chase Elliott faced their own scrutiny after the race, as veteran driver Denny Hamlin openly blamed them for contributing to some of the dangerous incidents that led to crashes following the cautions.

Denny Hamlin Calls Out Dangerous Moves by Top Drivers

On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin did not hold back his strong disapproval. He said,

“I realized it pretty quick, the only thing you can do is publicly shame, but like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson laying back three car lengths on the field and then getting a run and going four-wide, that’s what causes the wrecks.”

—Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver

While naming Elliott and Larson as key figures in the controversy, Hamlin emphasized that his main frustration lies with NASCAR’s lack of enforcement against such hazardous tactics. He criticized the officials for allowing aggressive maneuvers that endanger drivers to continue unchecked, saying,

“You’re not allowed to do that, NASCAR is not calling it. It’s what their driving instructor is telling them to do, what I’m calling on is NASCAR officiating to do something about it.”

—Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver

Incident Highlights Risk of Four-Wide Racing Tactics

The heated confrontation between Larson and Elliott, which took place during the final stage of the race, serves as a prime example of the risky behavior that Hamlin condemned. The two drivers reportedly delayed their advance by “laying back” several car lengths behind the field before simultaneously attempting a four-wide move to gain position at high speed.

Hamlin described the situation vividly:

“That’s what happened with the Larson and Chase thing – they laid back so much they must have been running 10 miles an hour faster than the cars in front of them when they all took off and then they both tried to shoot the gap at the same time in the middle. It’s like they both deserved to wreck.”

—Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver

This type of driving, Hamlin argues, disregards the safety and positioning of other drivers by creating hazardous conditions on the track, resulting in unnecessary collisions and escalating tensions within the Cup Series.

Ongoing Debate Surrounds NASCAR’s Enforcement and Safety Standards

The comments from Hamlin, combined with the race‘s chaotic nature, have sparked a broader debate about the need for NASCAR to take stronger regulatory action. The reluctance to penalize unsafe driving methods has frustrated many within the sport who believe that the series must prioritize driver safety over aggressive tactics that compromise the integrity of the competition.

As the Chase Elliott NASCAR controversy continues to unfold, attention now turns to how NASCAR officials will respond in upcoming races, such as the highly anticipated Watkins Glen event, to prevent similar incidents. With multiple voices calling for change, the pressure is mounting on the governing body to revise its approach to handling reckless driving on the track.