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Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
Blaney and Hamlin Discuss 'Uncalled For' Martinsville Incident
NASCAR drivers Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin talk through contact that led to both cars hitting the wall.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:38pm
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NASCAR drivers Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin discussed the incident that occurred between them during the recent Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Blaney said Hamlin's move was 'pretty uncalled for' at the time, but after talking it over, Blaney understood where Hamlin was coming from. Both drivers finished in the top 10, with Hamlin taking second place behind Chase Elliott.
Why it matters
The on-track contact and subsequent discussion between Blaney and Hamlin highlights the intense competition and high stakes in NASCAR, where drivers must balance racing hard for position while also maintaining respect and sportsmanship with their competitors.
The details
On a late-race restart at Martinsville, Blaney said he was 'fighting for my life' trying to hold his position on the outside, while Hamlin was trying to put the power down on the inside. The two cars made contact, sending them both into the wall. Blaney said it was not intentional, just hard racing, and that Hamlin explained his side of the incident after the race, which Blaney then understood.
- The incident occurred during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, April 1, 2026.
The players
Ryan Blaney
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who finished 6th at Martinsville and is currently second in the championship standings.
Denny Hamlin
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who finished 2nd at Martinsville and is currently third in the championship standings.
What they’re saying
“We were racing hard on the restart. It was kind of hard to hold it outside, especially with a good car at the bottom. So I was fighting for my life up there, and looking back on it, I'm holding him tight, he's using up some track, and he exited for higher than expected. He and I talked after the race. We're all good.”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
“He got free off of (Turn) 4, trying to put the throttle down. So he was higher than I thought he was going to be, and once we kind of connected, like my left front and his right rear just kind of connected, then we both just went into the fence. Obviously, I got the bad end of it. But I don't think it was anything intentional. We were just racing hard, and unfortunately, I got the bad end of it.”
— Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
The takeaway
The incident between Blaney and Hamlin at Martinsville is a reminder of the fine line NASCAR drivers must walk between racing aggressively for position and maintaining respect for their competitors. While the contact was unintentional, it led to frustration in the moment, but the two were able to discuss it afterwards and move forward, highlighting the importance of open communication and sportsmanship in the sport.
