NASCAR: Denny Hamlin takes cheap shot at Chase Elliott fans

Denny Hamlin blamed the post-NASCAR race Martinsville Speedway boos solely on Chase Elliott fans, claiming they don’t “think straightly”.

Now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott is seemingly over the post-race contact with himself and Denny Hamlin that robbed the former of what would have been his first career win at Martinsville Speedway more than four years ago in October 2017.

But Hamlin still views any hate he gets as hate directed at him solely by Elliott fans, even at his home track in Ridgeway, Virginia.

After his run-ins with one of Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Alex Bowman, both during and after Sunday’s 501-lap race around the four-turn, 0.526-mile (0.847-kilometer) oval, a visibly emotional Hamlin, who had been spun by Bowman for the race lead, was booed relentlessly during his post-race interview.

Many were booing Hamlin’s conduct both on the track during Bowman’s victory celebration and during his profanity-laced post-race interview, during which he stated the following.

"“He’s just a hack, he’s just an absolute hack. He gets his ass kicked by his teammates every week. He’s just terrible. He’s just f–king terrible. I moved up as high as I could on the race track and he still can’t drive.”"

Here are a few angles of what happened on the track.

And here is Hamlin’s interview.

Hamlin blamed the boos solely on Elliott fans, stating the following.

"“It’s just Chase Elliott fans, man. They’re just, you know, they’re not…they don’t think straightly. They’re gonna boo the shit out of me next week. I’ll tell you that.”"

Of course, Elliott responded in his typical nonchalant yet comical manner.

"“I’m gonna lose so much sleep tonight. I might not sleep at all. That’s how concerned I am. My fans don’t care either, by the way.”"

Hamlin and Elliott are among the four title contenders set to square off on Sunday, November 7 at Phoenix Raceway with the 2021 championship on the line. Set to join them are Martin Truex Jr., a teammate of Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, a teammate of Elliott. NBC is set to broadcast this race live beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET, so start your free trial of FuboTV today!