Denny Hamlin was not having any of it when he found out what Joey Logano said about what caused the crash involving both drivers on the final lap of stage 2 at Atlanta Motor Speedway that collected Logano, Hamlin and Chris Buescher.
The incident occurred in turn 2 as Logano, who was running 4th, slid up into the right front of the No. 17 of Buescher. This sent both cars into the wall and, with nowhere to go, Hamlin ran into the back of Buescher and spun out. All three drivers did not earn any stage points in that stage as a result of the crash.
Logano was the biggest loser in the crash. He went 8 laps down and ended up finishing 28th. Hamlin and Buescher were able to stay on the lead lap after that and finished 23rd and 9th respectively.
After the race Logano talked to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass about the incident.
Joey Logano led 27 laps before his wreck at the end of Stage 2. Logano said it was his mistake. pic.twitter.com/uJCC6rgGXb
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 26, 2024
"Yeah, I made a mistake," Logano said. "I thought I could get in there but by the time I realized I couldn't get there, I tried turning back down and once he starts packing air on my right rear I couldn't turn down and I got tight and sucked me into the wall."
Hamlin, who crashed in each of the three stages of the Ambetter Health 400, saw what Logano said while recording an episode of his podcast "Actions Detrimental" and he wasn't buying the fact that Logano tried to move down.
"The 22 was trying to block the 17. The 17 was getting to the outside of the 22 and he just came right up," Hamlin said. "I'm not picking on Joey (Logano) because you see it regularly, but it's just the end of the stage fellas. You're just gonna lose a spot, maybe. The 17 ain't gonna clear you if he gets to your outside. You're not fighting for the stage win, by the way, you're fighting for like 4th or 5th. But instead you don't live to race another lap because you think this is the most important block that's gotta happen right now."
With Logano making his weekly appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if he responds to what Hamlin said about his move. These two do have a long history that dates back to 2013, so there is no love lost between the two drivers. This could be the start of another chapter in this storied rivalry.
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