NASCAR drivers are not known to shy away from calling out a fan, a fellow driver, or even a reporter when the situation takes an unfavorable turn. Unfortunately for Denny Hamlin, such a situation presented itself after the Cup Series race at Sonoma. 

Hamlin was involved in an incident on lap 64 of the Toyota Save Mart 350 when Carson Hocevar tapped into the back of his car and spun him around in Turn 7. However, Hocevar said that he was pushed by someone from behind. The car behind was RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, who, in turn, said that he, too, was pushed from behind.

In a post-race interaction with media on pit road, The Athletic's Jeff Gluck first asked Denny Hamlin what he felt about getting spun. To that, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver replied that he hadn't watched the incident back and would need to do so before evaluating further.

Gluck continued about the same topic with another question, asking,

"I know you were told it was Carson, (but) looks like could've been Brad into Carson. So I assume, were you gonna watch that, or how would you react?"

Hamlin instantly dismissed the question, saying: 

"I haven't seen it, Jeff. I know you want a reaction, but I haven't seen it. So when I see it, I'll react to it."

The three-time Daytona 500 winner’s blunt response to Gluck garnered critical reactions from the fans to the question asked.

NASCAR fans back Denny Hamlin’s blunt response

After the clip posted by Jeff Gluck to his X account started gaining traction, many fans called him out, while saying that Hamlin's response was justified.

One fan wrote, "Denny calling Gluck out is peak."

Another highlighted that the reporter had seemingly similarly pressed Carson Hocevar for an answer on the incident, writing:

"Not a great look, Jeff. Seems like you were pressing both Denny and Hocevar for a sound byte."

One person also pointed out and commended Hamlin for not getting baited by a reaction, as they wrote:

"Props to Denny for not falling for the bait!"

Another even drew an unflattering comparison of the moment, writing:

"That was TMZ level interviewing."

Another highlighted how the follow-up question was simply not needed.

"Dude said he hasn’t seen it yet you still push it farther? That’s wild," they wrote.

What do you think about Denny Hamlin’s response to Jeff Gluck's question? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak