Christain Eckes’ impressive win at Bristol NASCAR Truck Series race was overshadowed by the heated confrontation between veteran Stewart Friesen and youngster Nick Sanchez. Both drivers were involved in an verbal altercation after the race, which later things turned physical forcing bystanders to intervein. Now Cup Series veteran Denny Hamlin has given his verdict on the incident.
The issues started when, in the later stage of the race, Stewart Friesen and Nick Sanchez were battling it out for a spot in the lead pack. The 40-year-old Candain was spun off from behind by Sanchez. This incident and the youngsters attitude infuriated the No. 52 driver, who grabbed Sanchez by his neck during post-race. Afterwards, while discussing the incident in his podcast, Denny Hamlin pointed out that Sanchez didn’t do anything wrong.
The JGR driver elucidated that he is a diehard fan of Friesen. However, the way that his peer handled the situation was not mature. Moreover, Hamlin reckoned that Sanchez had made a brilliant argument against the Toyota driver and was in the camp of the youngster this time.
I’m a Stewart Friesen fan, I like Stewart Friesen, I do. I think he’s in the wrong here, though. Just because I thought Sanchez had said a great point, and that was that ‘We crashed because I was there. Like, if I wasn’t then we don’t crash, but I’m there, Stewart.' Denny Hamlin said in his podcast Actions Detrimental.
Nick Sanchez gives his verdict on the race
Sanchez became a fan favorite after his win at Daytona at the season opener. The Floridian claimed another P5 in the coming race but suffered a bad run of races in his following outings. Moreover, the 22-year-old hot shoe was set to claim another top-3 finish this season when his race collapsed down with an incident with Friensen. Sanchez later took to his X handle and gave his verdict on the race, but didnt address the incident directly.
[I]Ran [in the] top-3 all night until a loose wheel on our final stop put us in the back. Driving through the field up top when I got fenced. Fast truck, had a shot until I didn’t. Onto COTA. Nicholas Sanchez wrote on X.
The Chevy driver clarified that he had a chance to finish in the top-3, before being relegated back in the pack due to an unscheduled pitstop. However, Sanchez was optimistic about his chances as he ad pace this weekend but later tripped with Friensen causing his car significant damage. The Chevy driver has shown glimpses of pace and would like to continue this trend in COTA.
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