Denny Hamlin: Carson Hocevar Is Not Getting ‘The Benefit Of The Doubt’

Denny Hamlin criticized Carson Hocevar for not receiving "the benefit of the doubt" following a post-race incident at Phoenix Raceway. The trouble began on the final laps of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race when Kyle Larson crashed, causing Ross Chastain's car to hit Hocevar. Hocevar then allegedly shoved Zane Smith, which Smith responded to with a provocative remark.

MotorBiscuit reported Smith's aggressive comments about Hocevar during post-race interviews. Hamlin, who was sitting in the free-pass spot, hoped for a caution to prevent a chain reaction between Hocevar and Ross Chastain. He noticed Hocevar didn't slow down after Chastain's hit and suggested Hocevar may have been out of control.

Hamlin also noted Smith's aggressive hit after the race, comparing it to a similar incident at Charlotte the week before involving Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. NASCAR officials deemed the incident close to a penalty but not warranting one, citing post-race behavior. Hamlin expressed disappointment that Hocevar wasn't getting a break, stating that "nobody's willing to cut the guy a break or give him any room. They're going to crowd him."