Denny Hamlin on controversy over NASCAR’s Daytona 500 final lap decision: ‘They made the right call’

Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR made the right call, throwing the yellow when they did to give William Byron the win in the Daytona 500.

Some believe NASCAR should’ve allowed the field to race back to the line, but Hamlin highlighted the danger that would’ve caused, as Austin Cindric in the No. 2 was sliding back up the racetrack after colliding with Ross Chastain.

Hamlin spoke on the matter during his latest Actions Detrimental podcast episode, comparing the finish to the way the Xfinity Series race concluded in the night air following the Daytona 500.

“What you saw when this caution comes out, there’s controversy over when they’re throwing the yellow, and I think that that’s just natural controversy,” Hamlin began. “Anytime that there’s a subjective call that NASCAR makes, of when they choose to end the race, they’re choosing when to end it, because they’ve already taken the white flag. You can throw any conspiracy out there, but it doesn’t matter when they throw it, one of the Hendrick cars wins. I think that they made the right call, simply because the No. 2 car was, when he crashed, he was starting to make his way back up the racing-track. Right at the start-finish-line, nose first. He was in a dangerous position.

“Now, the Xfinity Race, they crashed and they just kind of let them go. Could they have let it go further? Yes, but if they do that, there’s so many cars that are behind that pack that are yet to get past the No. 2 car, that’s crossing the race-track, broad-sided. They want to have everyone slow down as soon as possible to mitigate the risk that the No. 2 is very vulnerable in, in that moment.”

Hamlin’s reasoning makes sense, as does fans’ yearning for the Daytona 500 to end with a conclusive, exciting finish. As we’ve learned, it’s simply not in the cards some years, but we still have an exciting race for a majority of the 200 laps witnessed.

As for the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, Hamlin was collected in a huge wreck that took out almost half the field, but he still managed to come home P19. That’s a far cry from his usual performance at Daytona, but we all know it takes a little luck to win The Great American Race, and Hamlin didn’t have any.

The Daytona 500 is always an exciting one, and 2024 was no different, even if it ended under caution. Denny Hamlin believes it was the right thing to do, and we’re willing to be NASCAR is more than fine with their decision, as well.