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Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
Blaney Upset with Hamlin Over Martinsville Contact: 'Just Put Me in the Fence'
The NASCAR drivers had an on-track incident late in the race that impacted Blaney's finish.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:09am
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The chaotic, close-quarters racing at Martinsville Speedway often leads to intense on-track battles and occasional contact between drivers.Martinsville TodayRyan Blaney was upset with Denny Hamlin after the two made contact late in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, which resulted in Blaney hitting the outside wall. Blaney felt Hamlin's move was unnecessary and said it was 'overkill' from his perspective, while Hamlin acknowledged he lost control of his car and got higher than he wanted to be.
Why it matters
Incidents between top drivers can often lead to ongoing tensions and retaliation, which can impact the competitive balance of the season. This particular contact also highlights the challenges of racing at short tracks like Martinsville, where close quarters and aggressive driving are common.
The details
With under 100 laps to go in the final stage, Hamlin made contact with Blaney's car as Blaney was attempting to pass him, which sent Blaney into the outside wall. Blaney felt Hamlin simply 'put him in the fence' without justification, while Hamlin admitted he lost control of his car and got higher on the track than he intended.
- The incident occurred with under 100 laps remaining in the final stage of the race at Martinsville Speedway.
The players
Ryan Blaney
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who was running near the front of the field at Martinsville before being impacted by contact with Denny Hamlin late in the race.
Denny Hamlin
A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who was leading the race at Martinsville when he made contact with Ryan Blaney, sending Blaney into the wall.
What they’re saying
“'Just put me in the fence. That's what it looked like from my seat and if that's the way it looked on TV, then that's what happened.'”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
“'I wouldn't disagree... I lost control off Turn 4, spun the rears and just got higher than I wanted to be.'”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
What’s next
The two drivers will likely be monitored closely for any potential retaliation or lingering tensions in future races.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the fine line between hard racing and overly aggressive driving that can impact a competitor's race at a short track like Martinsville. It will be interesting to see if this leads to any further issues between Blaney and Hamlin as the NASCAR season continues.
