The final laps at the Kansas Speedway sparked debates on responsibility and timing. With two laps remaining, Cody Ware spun out at turn 4 and caused a caution. It, in turn, exposed the fine line between strategy and mistake, leading Tommy Baldwin to take accountability.

At the time of the spin, Ware had been on track for over 60 laps, and his tires finally gave out. Baldwin, the racing director for car #51, took responsibility for losing focus.

“I’m taking the blame because I should have just said, ‘You know what, our gamble lost. Let’s just come put tires on and not make any mistakes, not cause any problems,'" Baldwin said during the April 20th episode of Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Late-race strategy in NASCAR often comes with risk. It's always a battle between track position versus fresh tires, short-term gain versus long-term durability. By staying out, the team aimed to gain position and catch a timely caution.

But things did not go their way as tire wear ultimately caught up to them. Ultimately, Ware was left trying to manage a car that could no longer keep up with the field.

"It is an unwritten rule, in the garage area, that you do not want to change or be part of changing the outcome of the race," Baldwin added.

Inside the garage, that “unwritten rule” carries real meaning. Teams not in the fight for victory should stay out of the way. Baldwin feels his team may have overstepped.

How Is Denny Hamlin Dealing With His Heartbreak at Kansas After Cody Ware Spin

Just as Denny Hamlin was about to take the white flag, Ware blew a tire and spun in Turn 4. It triggered the first natural caution of the race. The overtime restart did not go Hamlin’s way, and he could not grab a win.

The overtime allowed Tyler Reddick to secure the victory in the No.45 Toyota.

“Man, it’s so frustrating,” Hamlin said. “I took this one a little tougher just because it’s like, I wanna capitalize. I only got 50 some races left and it’s like, man, I wanna get these wins when I should be winning."

Having been in Hamlin's shoes and experienced late-race heartbreak himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr. understands the situation. But he didn’t put all the blame on Ware and Rick Ware Racing.

"I mean that to me is a natural, just a happenstance," he said on his podcast.

For Dale Earnhardt Jr., a natural caution is better than none at all. It may have cost Denny Hamlin, but that’s the nature of NASCAR.

What are your thoughts on Baldwin taking the blame? Share your thoughts.

Find more news at RFK Racing Digest.

Written by

Siddhant Dive

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar