NASCAR drivers Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin competed in the 2017 Cup Series playoff race at Martinsville. An incident between the two on the track led to an angry Elliott fan heading to the pits, where he insisted on fighting Hamlin.
Elliott drives the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports and competes full-time in the Cup Series. The 28-year-old won the championship in 2020 and has 19 Cup victories in his 10-year career. Additionally, Elliott was the 2014 Xfinity Series champion and the 2022 Cup Series regular season champion. Elliott drove the No. 24 Chevrolet for HMS in 2017.
During the final lap of the First Data 500 playoff race at Martinsville, Hamlin collided with Elliott’s No. 24 Chevrolet, ran off the track and into the wall. The incident forced the No. 24 driver to retire early, having been racing well until the incident occurred in turn 3. Fans were not happy with Hamlin’s strategy to win the race against Elliott. One fan was seen trying to start a fight with Hamlin in the pit lane after the race.
Here’s a look at the incident (via @MattweaverRA on X)
The driving crew intervened as the heated fan was about to reach Denny Hamlin. Police officers eventually escorted the fan out of the pit lane. Three weeks later, at Phoenix Raceway, Chase Elliott spun Hamlin off, ultimately ending his race and his run in the playoffs. In a post-race interview at Phoenix, Elliott was asked about the incident and whether it was retaliation for the incident at Martinsville. Here’s what happened on the track and Elliott’s reaction (via NBC’s NASCAR): “I’m going to race them just as much as they’re going to race me.”
Chase Elliott finished the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 5th place, closely followed by Denny Hamlin in 6th.
“Not worth my time” – Chase Elliott comments on the incident with Denny Hamlin at Martinsville
Chase Elliott’s race was prematurely ended when Denny Hamlin spun while attempting to pass him. The incident prevented Elliott from completing the race.
However, Elliott was seen slamming Hamlin’s door on the cool-down lap, expressing his frustration at Hamlin for trying to pass him. When the cars came to a halt, the two were seen having a heated conversation. When asked for his thoughts on the incident in a post-race interview, Elliott said:
“He came up on the back straight and he talked to me. And the funny thing is, he said someone was pushing him, but there was two car lengths between him and the next driver.” My mom always said, ‘You have nothing good to offer, so don’t say anything,’ so he’s not worth my time. We’re going to Texas.'” Elliott finished a disappointing 27th in the First Data 500, while Denny Hamlin finished 20 cars ahead of him in 7th place.
