NASCAR: Top 5 controversial moments of the 2021 season

Controversial moment no. 4: Questionable calls impact New Hampshire race

By the time NASCAR’s annual trip to New Hampshire Motor Speedway came around, the sport had already faced backlash for rain-related calls that officials had made.

Rain had seemed to threaten a number of races throughout the year, and the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 was just another one that would be added to that list. The race started under dark, cloudy skies, but also under a dry condition.

That changed very quickly.

Sprinkles quickly moved over the track, showing up on camera as early as lap three, but with only a few light sprinkles, NASCAR didn’t throw a caution flag. The caution flag instead came out on lap seven.

Entering turn one, race leader Kyle Busch and second place Martin Truex Jr. slid up, around, and into the outside wall because the track was too wet.

Behind them, Denny Hamlin spun while the cars of Ross Chastain and Alex Bowman sustained damage. Busch was so furious at the situation that when the pace car pulled in front of him, he intentionally ran into its back bumper.

Instantly, NASCAR was scrutinized by fans for not stopping the race due to the rain. Some fans argued that the decision not to throw the caution flag could have impacted the end of the race because of how good Busch and Truex have been at the track and that the damage to their cars, which could have and should have been avoided, could have been the difference between them winning and the results with which they were actually credited.