No. 9 NASCAR Chevy Tangles With Toyota In 2023 Charlotte 600: Video

The Charlotte 600 is NASCAR’s longest race, and tensions are bounds to run high at some point in the marathon event. Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NASCAR Chevy Camaro ZL1, found himself in a tussle with the No. 11 Toyota TRD Camry of Denny Hamlin, resulting in a wreck that forced them off-track for the rest of the day.

On Lap 185 of 400, Hamlin, who won the 2022 Charlotte 600, made contact with Elliott, squeezing the No. 9 Camaro against the outside wall. Elliott put the No. 9 Camaro into the No. 11 Camry of Hamlin in what appeared to be an act of retaliation, causing both race cars to wreck in dramatic fashion and critically damaging both of them.

Hamlin was clearly upset by the on-track incident.

“It’s a tantrum and he shouldn’t be racing next week,” Hamlin said of Elliott. “Right-rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable. I don’t care. It is the same thing that Bubba Wallace did with Kyle Larson [at Las Vegas in 2022]. Exact same. He shouldn’t be racing. It’s a tantrum.”

Elliott deflected accusations that he’d acted in a retaliatory manner.

“No, like I said, once you hit the wall in these things, you can’t drive them anymore,” Elliott said. “So, no, just unfortunate circumstances.”

Meanwhile, William Byron’s No. 24 NASCAR Chevy tried to track down the No. 12 Ford Mustang of Ryan Blaney as the laps ticked down, but he just didn’t have enough for him at the end. Byron’s No. 24 Camaro ultimately finished second after leading 91 laps.

“We just needed a little bit,” said Byron. “Really happy for Ryan. He really deserves it. He’s a good dude. Cool to see him get a win… Just proud of where our team is at. Just needed a little bit more.”

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver

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