NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has revealed his views on the pit lane clash during the Cup Series race at Sonoma. A conflict erupted between the pit crews of RFK Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing after Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski had pitted.
The pit stalls of both teams were next to each other, a point that contributed to the conflict. When Keselowski’s crew awaited his arrival, Gibbs came into the pits before him and grazed tire changer Telvin McClurkin while passing through the RFK Racing stall.
Keselowski came in a few seconds later. Once he set off, McClurkin confronted the JGR crew members, which escalated into a fight. NASCAR officials intervened to settle the dispute. The sport stated that Gibbs was not at fault for grazing the tire held by McClurkin, considering the lack of sufficient space.
Now, Hamlin has revealed his take on his Actions Detrimental podcast, concluding that both teams were “trying to gain an advantage.” He said:
“You can see where he came in one way one time, came in another way a different time, but he is in front. So, he has the right to use the pit box. It’s just bad timing, is the best I can explain it.
“Whenever you’re pitted in front of someone and then you’re barely in front of them on track, what happens is you have their tire carriers and their jackman kind of standing at the wall. They’ve changed the rule recently over the last year or two to where they don’t want these guys jumping off the wall. That’s too much weight, you’ll create injuries. So, they let them kind of get ready in their pit box.
“Well, they’re trying to get around to the right side of the car before it stops. Brad’s team is trying to get their advantage, which is get to the right side as soon as possible. But they’re not able to run out there till after the 54 passes, which that definitely does slow them down.
“I didn’t see the carrier move from his position, but I think Ty was trying to get the best angle into his box — which he’s entitled to — and the contact happened. Who’s fault? I don’t know. Both sides were trying to gain an advantage.”
RFK put its case forward to NASCAR by submitting footage that offers an overhead view of the incident. However, the sport did not accept RFK’s argument.
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