Denny Hamlin gives blunt take on controversial Promoter’s Caution, takes issue with Joey Logano

The Promoter’s Caution was coming at some point, you just didn’t know exactly when during Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. As it played out, Lap 216-of-250 was the moment.

Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith ordered Michael Waltrip to throw the yellow flag for the Promoter’s Caution. It changed the race as it forced teams to make a decision: to pit for four fresh Goodyear tires or stay out. While it benefitted some and hurt others, Denny Hamlin believes the time to complain about it was before the $1 million exhibition.

“I think if we did any bitching and complaining, we needed to do it before the race and not post,” Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast. “Just because we all might not be in agreement of it that it’s a good thing or a bad thing, a gimmick or not — of course it’s a gimmick — but how is that race going to play out without it? All I know from where I was sitting all day, the only entertainment I had was the leaders and when I could see them. It’s the same five cars for pretty much the whole day and so, I just didn’t see much going on there. It came at a time where it puts you to a decision: to pit or not to pit.

“So, I think it accomplished what it was designed to accomplish. We can argue the merits of whether it should or should not have been there. But I disagree with us bitching about it post-race because it affected you in a negative way. You had the opportunity to play one or the other. There was a chance it was going to be you that it didn’t work out for.”

All-Star Race Promoter’s Caution brings chaos to North Wilkesboro

The one driver who did not want to see the Promoter’s Caution come out was Joey Logano. At the time, he was out front and in control of the race. Instead of coming down pit road, Logano and his No. 22 team chose to stay out; it proved to be a race-altering decision. The three-time Cup Series champion held off Christopher Bell for as long as he could until Bell finally executed the race-winning pass with nine to go.

Logano was frustrated after the race. He accused Bell of running him up into the wall to take the lead. He then took issue with the Promoter’s Caution. Logano missed out on a $1 million check despite having arguably the best car, leading a race-high 139-of-250 laps. Hamlin said that Logano was “butthurt” after the race.

“I think the frustration comes from the 22 [and] they thought they had the best car,” Hamlin said. “Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t. They certainly were one of them and when you don’t win, you get butthurt.”