The Ross Chastain–Denny Hamlin battle is here to stay. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran and the Trackhouse Racing powerhouse were once again going hard at each other, this time at Phoenix on Sunday. Both drivers had a disappointing day at the one-mile track as both scored finishes outside the top 20, after racing exclusively in the top 15 thought out the day.
Chastain started the United Rentals Work United 500 at P6 while being the championship leader. The 23XI Racing owner started at Pole and ended outside the P22 after leading just one lap the whole race. The clash among the titans occurred on the final overtime run. Both were out of contention for the win and were chasing a finish good enough.
Chastain was seen trying to squeeze in through the outside of the No:11 Camry to pursue a better point finish. While doing so, he nearly spun Hamlin, and the frustrated veteran bumped him twice before overtaking him to the finish. The duo also had a talk with each other after the race about their on-track antics, and more information about their confrontation might be revealed in Hamlin’s Action Detrimental podcast.
Ross Chastain had the better start to the 2023 season among the two. He finished inside the top 10 in the first two races of the season, while he slipped out of Top 10 in the last two races. Hamlin, on the other hand, scored one Top 10 finish and has finished outside the Top 20 just once, which came in Phoenix last Sunday.
The rival is the title favorite for the 2023 season and is hunting for a common dream, the maiden Cup title. The No: Trackhouse Racing driver’s Martinsville wall ride eliminated Hamlin from the 2022 chase. This season the veteran is hoping to cement his progression in every round possible. For Chastain, who finished P2 in last year’s championship, it’s going all out for the title or nothing.
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How fans on Twitter reacted to the latest Chastain-Hamlin clash
NASCAR fans on Twitter had some crazy reactions to the latest clash among the superstars. Fans of both drivers were quick to troll and slam their opponent. There were also trolls targeting both drivers from neutral fans.
Ross takes up so much space in Danny's head thar he's got watermelons growing in his yard.
— Michael Karafin (@MGK1024) March 13, 2023
Like what is dennys deal? Ross didn’t even touch him. Yet after he runs Ross to the wall he still punts him 3/4 times. dennys is awesome driver but has a childish personality. He’s the great value brand of what Kyle Busch was 5+ years ago. All talk little action.
— Mike Howell (@dj_mike89) March 13, 2023
denny hamlin is the most insecure driver ever. the dude is allowing a watermelon farmer to live in his head 😭
— carnation™️🗿 (@CarnationBoi) March 13, 2023
Chastain brake checked him three times after?
— Todd not Bodine (@XavierLambert15) March 13, 2023
If I was Ross, after getting screwed out of a top 10, then getting sent afterwards like it was my fault, I'd have a little word with Hamlin, but there wouldn't be words exchanged, if you catch my drift
— NASCAR Sh1tposter (@thats_a_nas_car) March 13, 2023
Denny’s podcast, Actions Detrimental, has kinda changed my mind on him. He seems good natured and I’m really trying to like and root for @dennyhamlin but man stuff like this makes it rough to do
— Slice McMulligan (@CPBreezy) March 13, 2023
These two are really fighting again also Danny started that why was he mad at Chastain
— haydenblox/Thepawpatrolreviewer (@ReviewsCartoon) March 13, 2023
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