Hamlin Blasts NASCAR's "Case-by-Case" Calls as Martinsville Decider Nears

Denny Hamlin has launched a fierce attack on NASCAR's consistency, accusing the governing body of hypocrisy over team orders ahead of Sunday's decisive race at Martinsville. Speaking on the latest episode of his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, the 23XI Racing co-owner said such tactics are "illegal when we go to Martinsville" but were tolerated at Talladega, where Chevrolet drivers did not pass to help Kyle Larson's final-lap charge. Larson went from 11th to first on the final lap of overtime to win the YellaWood 500 on October 25, beating teammate William Byron by 0.041 seconds, with Ross Chastain pushing him during that charge. Hamlin also questioned NASCAR's twice-revised explanation of the double-yellow-line rule, after officials ruled Larson had stayed on the line rather than going below it, while other drivers who crossed the line escaped punishment. NASCAR has defended its decisions as case-by-case judgements, a phrase Hamlin seized on with sarcasm. The row adds extra spice to Martinsville, the penultimate race of the season, where the championship field will be cut to its final four.