Denny Hamlin was just moments away from making history at the Daytona 500. Leading in the final lap of overtime and battling it out with Austin Cindric, he had his sights set on a fourth victory at the Great American Race. But in the blink of an eye, his dreams were shattered.
A late push from Cole Custer took him right out of contention, triggering a multi-car wreck that dropped him down to 24th place. Instead of celebrating in Victory Lane, Hamlin was left enraged as William Byron capitalized on the chaos to take the win.
‘I’ve Had Enough’ – Denny Hamlin Sounds Off on Wreck
Hamlin didn’t hold back his emotions after the race. He was furious—not just with Custer’s move but with NASCAR’s entire approach to superspeedway racing. Later on Monday in his podcast “Actions Detrimental,” Hamlin called the late push by Custer unnecessary, saying it was the kind of reckless driving that ruins races.
“You’re in a great spot to push the 20 clear. You get clear, race for the win. There’s plenty of time left. But some of these guys just get so excited that they think that they have to make a move now. And we have to, I’ve got to run into you right now. There is no tomorrow,” he explained.
But Hamlin’s frustration wasn’t just about Daytona. He’s been one of the most outspoken drivers when it comes to NASCAR’s handling of aggressive pack racing. He believes the current generation of racing in NASCAR is heavily based on luck rather than actual driving skills. His frustration boiled over when he responded to a NASCAR insider’s post with a blunt, four-word message: “I’ve had enough Jeff.”
The morning after the race, Hamlin’s emotions hadn’t cooled. He mentioned in his podcast, “I mean I woke up pissed, and it’s about everything. Now I know why drivers retire. I have that feeling like I’m tired of this s***.” It was clear that the disappointment of losing Daytona in this fashion wasn’t something he’d get over quickly.
What’s Next for Hamlin and NASCAR?
Hamlin’s Daytona heartbreak adds to a growing list of frustrations. He’s repeatedly voiced concerns about how little control drivers have in these high-speed, pack-racing situations. Many believe NASCAR should take his words seriously and look at ways to reduce these race-ending pileups.
For now, Hamlin has no choice but to move on and focus on the rest of the season, but this loss will sting for a long time. Whether NASCAR makes changes or not, Hamlin’s message is clear—he’s fed up with the way things are. Given the reaction from other racers, it seems he’s not alone.
