Fuming Hamlin seeks revenge in Michigan
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin spent the week trading barbs about their chaotic finishat Indianapolis.
They will have a chance to settle the score Sunday at Michigan.
Duringa week many teams scrambled to repair damaged cars while plotting strategy for NASCAR’s return to oval racing, Briscoe and Hamlin continued their debate over the spin-out that cost both championship contenders a possibletrip to victory lane.
“We can’t race that way,” Hamlin said after Briscoe sent Indy’s race leader spinning on the second-to-last lap. “I don’t think he did it [maliciously]. I’ve raced with him for a year now. He’s not that kind of person, just bad judgment.”
What exactly took place in those closing laps won’t soon be forgotten.
A deteriorating curb sent nine cars off course with five laps to go and seven more crashed shortly after a restart following the curb’s removal. Then in the second overtime and final restart, Hamlin forced Briscoe wide heading into the first turn, and as Hamlin navigated the course, Briscoe drove through the grass and came out side-by-side with Hamlin. When Hamlin pulled out to a small lead, Briscoe tapped the No. 11 Toyota, sending it into the grass — at about the same time Cup officials radioed Briscoe’s penalty for cutting the course.
Afterward, Hamlin confronted Briscoe on pit road. But when Briscoe’s radio transmissions were broadcast on television Monday, the debate started again.
“Soooo the 14 didn’t know but yet acknowledged it on
the radio? Ok, gotcha, noted,” Hamlin wrote on Twitter.
Briscoe defended himself again.
“That was my crew chief’s voice, anyone that listens to us weekly knows that’s not my voice plus I never use the word ‘copy’ I always say 104,” he wrote. “Feel free to call or text me if you don’t wanna go back and forth on here.”
Neither driver took questions this week and it was unclear if the conversation continued in private.
Now both are in the Irish Hills region of Michigan trying to build momentum for the Cup chase. Hamlin already has clinched a playoff spot despite not winning yet this season. Hamlin reached victory lane 13 times in 2019 and 2020 but hasn’t been back since winning at Talladega in October.
The 29-race drought and the fact Hamlin failed to win the Brickyard again despite being in position to win it late in the race accounts for some of the frustration.
A win Sunday certainly would help Hamlin, who finds himself second in points behind Kyle Larson after leading most of this season.
Briscoe would qualify for the playoffs with a win.
Harvick’s track
NASCAR’s stop in Michigan has been a one-man show recently.
Kevin Harvick has won four of the past five here, including each of the previous three races held on the 2mile oval. Last year’s Michigan race was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If Harvick makes it four in a row, he would lock up a playoff spot — and tie Bill Elliott’s record for most consecutive race victories at Michigan. Harvick, who won the 2014 Cup title, also owns the most wins (five) among active drivers on the track and, like Hamlin, is still seeking his first win in 2021.
He’s 15th in the points heading into this week and could also clinch a playoff spot Sunday based on points — if there’s a repeat winner or a winner who is ineligible for the postseason.
Playoff picture
Fourteen drivers already have clinched playoff spots and two spots remain as the regular season winds down withits final two races.
Sixteen drivers, including Harvick,are in with a win.
And there will be a change. Race organizers are using resin on the track to help with gripinstead of PJ1 TrackBite.
“I think we’ve got a shot,” said Ross Chastain, another playoff hopeful. “They don’t wantto make it too slick or too gripped-up. They’re just trying to find a happy medium. And if they get it in the box where we can race in it, then we’ll have a lot more options forracing.”