Denny Hamlin criticizes Spire Motorsports following incident at Darlington Raceway
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 12:47 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin criticized the management of Spire Motorsports following an on-track incident at the Cook Out Southern 500 on September 6. During the event at Darlington Raceway, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar spun Brad Keselowski near the end of Stage 1. Hamlin, currently the No. 1 seed in the NASCAR Chase, characterized the organization as unserious while refusing to engage directly with Hocevar regarding his actions. Keselowski, who finished 23rd while Hocevar took 11th, suggested that retaliation may follow the incident. Hocevar dismissed the contact and did not address the potential for future conflict on the track. Hamlin remains focused on the Chase playoffs despite damage to his own vehicle during the race.
- •Carson Hocevar spun Brad Keselowski during Stage 1 of the race at Darlington Raceway.
- •Denny Hamlin described Spire Motorsports as lacking adult leadership in response to the incident.
- •Brad Keselowski suggested he may retaliate against Hocevar for the contact.
- •Hocevar finished 11th in the race while Keselowski finished 23rd.
- 12:47 AMYahoo Sports — Spire Owner Takes Denny Hamlin’s ‘Unserious’ Comment as a Warning
- 5:05 PMMotorsport.com — Freddie Kraft unloads on Carson Hocevar after latest wreck: 'You’re just playing a f***ing game'
- 4:11 PMMotorsport.com — Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson fires back at Denny Hamlin after criticism
- 1:22 AMYahoo Sports — “NO ADULTS IN THE ROOM!” Denny Hamlin RIPS Into Hocevar Situation
- 3:05 PMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin on Spire Motorsports: 'There's no adults in the room'
"Carson Hocevar's spin of Brad Keselowski, and his subsequent interview shrugging off the contact, have dominated the NASCAR conversation in the week after Darlington. Denny Hamlin has weighed in, as have NASCAR Hall of Famers, as has Hocevar's team owner, and many, many others. Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and host of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, had some especially sharp words ...Keep reading
"Everyone in NASCAR has had something to say about Carson Hocevar this past week. Or maybe that is, everyone except Denny Hamlin. The No. 77 car was at the center of attention after spinning Brad Keselowski at Darlington last weekend, and Hocevar only poured fuel on the fire with his casual dismissal of the contact. On his podcast Actions Detrimental, Hamlin did his best to run past the ...Keep reading
"Denny Hamlin Calls Out Carson Hocevar Drama After Darlington Chaos The NASCAR playoffs have barely begun, but the drama is already reaching another level. Carson Hocevar found himself at the center of controversy during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway after contact with Brad Keselowski sent the RFK Racing driver spinning and ended…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 12:47 AMSpire Owner Takes Denny Hamlin’s ‘Unserious’ Comment as a Warning
Spire Motorsports owner Jeff Dickerson responded to Denny Hamlin's comments about being an 'unserious' team.
- Motorsport.comSep 11, 2026, 5:05 PMFreddie Kraft unloads on Carson Hocevar after latest wreck: 'You’re just playing a f***ing game'
Carson Hocevar's spin of Brad Keselowski, and his subsequent interview shrugging off the contact, have dominated the NASCAR conversation in the week after Darlington. Denny Hamlin has weighed in, as have NASCAR Hall of Famers, as has Hocevar's team owner, and many, many others. Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and host of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, had some especially sharp words ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comSep 11, 2026, 4:11 PMSpire co-owner Jeff Dickerson fires back at Denny Hamlin after criticism
Everyone in NASCAR has had something to say about Carson Hocevar this past week. Or maybe that is, everyone except Denny Hamlin. The No. 77 car was at the center of attention after spinning Brad Keselowski at Darlington last weekend, and Hocevar only poured fuel on the fire with his casual dismissal of the contact. On his podcast Actions Detrimental, Hamlin did his best to run past the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 1:22 AM“NO ADULTS IN THE ROOM!” Denny Hamlin RIPS Into Hocevar Situation
Denny Hamlin Calls Out Carson Hocevar Drama After Darlington Chaos The NASCAR playoffs have barely begun, but the drama is already reaching another level. Carson Hocevar found himself at the center of controversy during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway after contact with Brad Keselowski sent the RFK Racing driver spinning and ended…
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 3:05 PMDenny Hamlin on Spire Motorsports: 'There's no adults in the room'
Denny Hamlin refuses to give Carson Hocevar attention after the Spire Motorsports driver spun Brad Keselowski at Darlington.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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