The finish of the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway has sparked a heated debate among NASCAR fans and drivers. As the field raced toward the chequered flag, a multi-car crash led NASCAR to throw the caution, freezing the field and handing Christopher Bell the win, which would have otherwise been a thrilling three-wide finish.
While many fans wanted to see the race finish under green, Denny Hamlin has come to NASCAR’s defense, arguing that the decision to throw caution was the right one.
Denny Hamlin Backs NASCAR’s Call
Frustration from the fans was immediate. Many felt NASCAR should have let the race play out naturally, similar to what happened in the Xfinity Series race the day before. That race, however, ended in chaos, with multiple cars wrecking after NASCAR chose not to throw the caution.
NASCAR vice president Elton Sawyer later admitted that not throwing a caution was a mistake, which made Sunday’s decision more understandable.
Breaking down tonight's Atlanta finish. pic.twitter.com/PjHUu2DnsO
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 24, 2025
Hamlin, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, explained in his podcast why NASCAR made the right call this time.
“Listen, there’s only 36 people that want that thing, that caution, thrown,” Hamlin said. “And they’re all sitting in the driver seats. I understand all the millions of people that say, ‘Let that b**** run green. But you can’t do it, guys. Somebody, seriously, and it could be your favorite driver, will get really, really hurt.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver pointed out that safety has to come first, even when it might take away a dramatic finish.
“Let’s at least applaud them on making the right call for safety because safety should always be No. 1, and entertainment should be No. 2.”
Fans and Drivers Have Different Views Over Cautions
Many fans took to social media, demanding NASCAR stop interfering in the final moments of a race. But Hamlin and several other drivers disagree, believing the sport must prioritize safety over entertainment.
“It was the right call. Good call? Just depends on who you ask. If you ask the fans who want entertainment, no — it was not a good call in their eyes. But I can assure you there’s not a driver in the field that would want that race to stay green, given the scenarios that were going on,” he said.
This debate isn’t new, and it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon. Fans want excitement, while drivers want fairness and safety. NASCAR finds itself in the middle, trying to make the best decisions in the heat of the moment.
As the season moves forward, the question remains — should NASCAR let races finish under green at all costs, or is throwing caution the right call? The conversation isn’t over, but Hamlin has made it clear where he stands.
