While Kyle Busch drove on to his first title in a NASCAR national touring series, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski added more drama to their on-going feud.
On lap 35, Hamlin intentionally bumped into the back of Keselowski, who was running eighth at the time. Keselowski managed to save his car from hitting the wall. NASCAR slapped Hamlin with a one-lap penalty for aggressive driving, as well as warned both drivers to cease their on-track altercations. MiamiHerald.com
“I don’t really hold any grudges. I’m ready to move on,” Keselowski said. “Hell, I’ve already moved on. Hopefully, he feels the same way.”
Well, he hasn’t entirely moved on. Keselowski quickly added that Hamlin “has a lot of problems on and off the racetrack” and didn’t think the JGR driver would feel good about what he did in the morning.
Hamlin laughed off those comments.
“I feel great right now,” he said. “It was well worth it.”
Hamlin was cheered by fans who heard his comments over the public address system. His aggressive, self-policing style was a hit with the crowd.
The escalating feud might have one more round in Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.
Keselowski met with top NASCAR officials last week at Phoenix International Raceway after his latest dust up with Hamlin. Contact between the two has led to five Hamlin wrecks dating back to last season, and Hamlin vowed revenge.
“It’s tough to have a rivalry with a mid-pack driver,” Hamlin said. “I shouldn’t be racing him, anyway. ... I just wanted to send a message that I am a man of my word, and my father once told me, if you say you are going to do something, you’ve got to do it. And he told me I had to do it, so I had to do it.” The Associated Press
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