Denny Hamlin spun out at Sonoma Raceway on Lap 64 after contact from Carson Hocevar.
What happened?
The incident occurred when Hamlin was running inside the top 10, but his #18 Toyota spun around in Turn 7.
Hocevar was pushed from behind by Brad Keselowski and Alex Bowman, causing a chain reaction.
Why it matters for Denny Hamlin
Former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Steve Letarte explained that multiple drivers contributed to the circumstances.
Letarte said the blame should not solely be on Hocevar, but rather on the road course racing in general.
What comes next?
Denny Hamlin showed speed throughout the weekend and had a top-five finish in the car on Sunday.
He finished 26th, but still claimed the points lead with 719 points, just one point ahead of Tyler Reddick.
On 18 Jun, Hamlin reflected on his Sonoma outing, saying he had a really fast car, but didn't have great restarts.
He gave up a couple of spots in the first restart and then got spun, which ruined his day.
The #11 driver now sits atop the Cup Series points table.
Letarte spoke to the Inside The Race podcast, explaining the chain reaction that unfolded ahead of the contact.
He compared the wreck to what you see on an interstate, where the driver who hits the car in front gets the ticket.
In this case, Hocevar got the blame, but Letarte thinks the blame might go to road course racing in general.
Denny Hamlin's title rival, Tyler Reddick, suffered power steering failure and finished 36th.
This allowed Hamlin to take the lead in the points table.
The incident at Sonoma has sparked debate among NASCAR fans over who deserved the blame.
Many quickly pointed the finger at Hocevar, but Letarte believes the situation was far more complicated.
The chain reaction that led to Hamlin's spin was caused by multiple drivers, including Keselowski and Bowman.
Denny Hamlin's speed throughout the weekend was impressive, but the crash ruined his day.
He struggled to run where he was at after the crash, and eventually finished 26th.
Despite the disappointing finish, Hamlin still managed to claim the points lead.
This is a significant development in the NASCAR Cup Series, with Hamlin now sitting atop the points table.
The points lead is a testament to Hamlin's skill and speed on the track, despite the setbacks he faced at Sonoma.
But the incident has also sparked controversy, with many fans debating who was to blame for the spin.
The debate is likely to continue, with some fans arguing that Hocevar was at fault, while others believe it was a result of the road course racing.
Denny Hamlin's performance at Sonoma was impressive, despite the crash.
He showed speed throughout the weekend and had a top-five finish in the car on Sunday.
The #11 driver is now in a strong position to compete for the championship, with the points lead in his favor.
The NASCAR Cup Series will continue, with Hamlin looking to build on his lead.
The next race will be crucial in determining the championship, with Hamlin facing stiff competition from his rivals.
But for now, Hamlin is in a strong position, with the points lead and a fast car.
He will be looking to capitalize on this advantage and take the championship.
The road to the championship will be challenging, but Hamlin is well-placed to succeed.
With his speed and skill on the track, he is a strong contender for the title.
The NASCAR Cup Series is heating up, with Hamlin at the forefront of the competition.
The points lead is a significant advantage, and Hamlin will be looking to build on this.
The next race will be exciting, with Hamlin facing off against his rivals.
But for now, he is in a strong position, with the points lead and a fast car.
Denny Hamlin's performance at Sonoma was impressive, despite the crash.
He showed speed throughout the weekend and had a top-five finish in the car on Sunday.
The #11 driver is now in a strong position to compete for the championship, with the points lead in his favor.