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In a recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin called out NASCAR's inconsistencies and biased nature in applying penalties to drivers. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver pointed out Brad Keselowski's missing roof rails, which the sanctioning body missed in the post-race inspection.
The 2024 YellaWood 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway created one of the biggest multi-car wrecks in motorsport's history. Apart from the controversial caution car delay, fans were enraged with NASCAR's inconsistencies during the post-race inspection, allowing Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chris Buescher, and Keselowski to escape penalties despite their cars missing parts. This point was highlighted by Hamlin as well.
Keselowski responded to Hamlin's accusations during a media interaction at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The RFK Racing driver spoke with senior NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass regarding the Talladega issue.
Here's a look at the entire interaction shared on X by Pockrass, captioned:
"Brad Keselowski on why his car lost the right side roof rail extensions at Talladega and why he felt they would have had a strong appeal if NASCAR had opted to disqualify him."
"So, kind of a study in metallurgy, with different load requirements without having any practice or testing. It wasn't something we were expecting. So we have to come back with a heavier duty grade of aluminum," Keselowski explained (0:24 onwards).
"I didn't know until I found out on the airplane as we were flying back, somebody texted me... I think we'd have a hell of appeal. You know, no practice, no testing and, and all that. Uh, and it was clearly on the car and tight. Certainly wasn't anything we intended to do. There's not enough of performance advantage there to play any games there," he added, responding to Hamlin's scrutiny.
Keselowski finished the YellaWood 500 race at 'Dega in second place, a mere 0.006 seconds behind the race winner Stenhouse Jr. He is currently placed 15th in the 2024 Cup Series drivers' table.
“He gave me a good push down the frontstretch”: Talladega race runner-up Brad Keselowski on the push from Kyle Larson during the penultimate lap
Talladega race runner-up Brad Keselowski got a strong push from Hendrick Motorsports' driver Kyle Larson on the penultimate lap of the YellaWood 500 race. The Michigan-based racer spoke about the same during the post-race interview.
“He (Larson) gave me a good push down the frontstretch. But the 24 was able to really stick with the 47 there and just needed a tiny bit. It’s a good finish for us. We’ve been knocking on the door of these plate tracks. I hate that we didn’t bust through with a win, but I’m happy to be right there in contention,” Keselowski said.
“I just needed a half a foot, I guess. I got a really good push from the 5 (Larson) down the frontstretch, but just wasn’t quite enough,” he added.
The YellaWood 500 race at 'Dega provided the third-closest finish of the 2024 Cup Series season, adding another photo-finish moment this year.
