NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin shared his critical perspective on the collision involving Austin Hill and Michael McDowell during the recent Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International. The incident took place in the final stage of the 82-lap event, just nine laps from the finish, when Hill made contact with McDowell while fighting for second place.
As they approached a corner near the wall, Hill, trailing closely behind McDowell, clipped the rear of McDowell’s No. 11 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, causing it to spin, hit the wall, and slide back onto the track. This led to a chaotic moment involving multiple drivers. The question on many lips was whether Hill’s maneuver was deliberate or if he could have eased off to prevent the crash.
Denny Hamlin’s Perspective on the Incident Between Hill and McDowell
<pSpeaking on the Actions Detrimental Podcast, Hamlin expressed a firm opinion on the clash. He noted that Hill “could've lifted. He probably should have lifted. But he didn't. He's just not going to get the benefit of the doubt from the general public.”
Hamlin elaborated on the difficulty of the racetrack and communication challenges, emphasizing that Hill misjudged the situation:
“Here’s what he didn’t take into account. That a part of the racetrack where the spotters have no idea where you’re at. Thinking that Michael McDowell is going to know that you’re there, at that portion of the track, there’s no chance.”
The aftermath left McDowell with a disappointing 25th-place finish, while Hill managed to secure a top-five result. Despite the setback, McDowell’s primary focus remains the NASCAR Cup Series, where he drives the No. 71 car for Spire Motorsports, as he does not compete full-time in the Xfinity Series.
Hamlin Criticizes NASCAR’s Handling of the NextGen Car Design
Apart from commenting on the Watkins Glen incident, Hamlin also voiced frustration over NASCAR’s ongoing decisions, particularly concerning the NextGen car introduced in 2022. He argued the changes, especially the reduction in engine horsepower, have pushed the sport backward rather than forward.
Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, traced the gradual power decreases to decisions made far from the drivers’ influence. He said,
“We’ve just steadily progressed our way back and back and back and back and taken horsepower away more and more and more. These are decisions that get made from beyond our offices. These are 10th-floor decisions, and let’s just say us drivers are on the third floor.”
The driver from Tampa, Florida, went further in his criticism:
“I hate to say no business is immune to bad decisions. I think the NASCAR business has made some horrible decisions over the last given amount of time. Eventually, it catches up.”
Upcoming Race for Hamlin and Its Anticipated Challenges
Denny Hamlin’s next challenge will come at Richmond Raceway in the Cook Out 400, scheduled for Saturday, August 16. This 400-lap event will be broadcast on USA Network starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, with live updates available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The race will provide another opportunity for Hamlin to demonstrate his skills amid ongoing changes in NASCAR and lingering frustrations around the sport’s direction.