No Restarts, No Problem? NASCAR's Final Call on Hamlin's Move

Who says you can't get a head start in racing? Denny Hamlin might tell you it's all about being in the right place at the right time—especially when that place is the lead on the final lap at Richmond. NASCAR bigwig Elton Sawyer hit the airwaves, dishing out the deets on why Hamlin dodged a penalty on his arguably early overtime restart.

Hamlin's Hasty Dash to Victory

"There's no doubt he rolled early," confessed Sawyer on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Here's the clincher: Had this happen earlier in the race, NASCAR might have cried foul. Timing, it seems, is everything. With the trophy nearly in sight, the officials decided to let the race play out, leaving some fans cheering and others scratching their heads.

  • Hamlin roars into the lead after a pit stop win—classic move.
  • Sawyer admits the launch was premature, but no flags were thrown.

Hamlin takes the checkered flag, but debates race on—was the restart legit or not?

Hamlin Explains: It's All About Timing

While the officials were all talk, Hamlin had his own take. He's not watching flags or fretting over dashboards. His eyes? Glued to the mirror. It's all about feeling out the competition—when they creep up, Hamlin takes off, ditching any advantage they might have snagged.

"Jumped the gun? Maybe a tad early," says Hamlin. "But racing's not just about playing by the rules—it's playing the game at the final buzzer."

The Verdict

So what's the deal? In the heat of the last-lap hustle, NASCAR played it cool. Hamlin, for his part, cruised to victory and straight into the hot seat of debate. Did he jump the start or just play the game better? Tune in, weigh in, and don't miss the next round of rubber-burning drama.

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