It didn’t take long for Denny Hamlin to get to his phone and place the blame for his early exit in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The NASCAR veteran was quick to point his finger at Corey LaJoie.

Now, this is not Denny Hamlin being mean. He isn’t picking on anyone. Honestly, he’s calling it how he saw it and how everyone else more or less saw it.

Responding to Eric Estepp of Out of the Groove on X.com, formerly known as Twitter, Hamlin said it loud and clear.

“Man…. don’t tell me the No. 7 [LaJoie] caused it,” Estepp posted.

“7 caused it,” Hamlin replied.

Just like that in Stage 2 we had the big one! Daytona delivered a massive wreck in the middle of the race with massive consequences for Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott. This is going to change the NASCAR regular season championship race and playoff bubble battle.

This was the most calm part of the race. It felt like the field had gotten into a lull. Maybe that is where things went wrong. Out of nowhere on Lap 60, Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson, and John Hunter Nemechek all went flying around the track.

There was a little too much pushing and shoving going on. This wreck collected what looked like most of the field in one way or another. Points were lost and gained during this wreck.

Denny Hamlin explains wreck at Daytona

What a week it has been for Denny Hamlin. A 75-point penalty, including 10 playoff points, and now a DNF right after that. Between NASCAR officials and the Daytona track, it’s been a punishing few days for Hamlin.

There are moments at Daytona that you can’t avoid. Denny Hamlin and a lot of other drivers were involved in one of those moments almost halfway through the second stage. Too much pushing and shoving and then the field was wrecking.

After spending his time in the infield care center, Denny Hamlin spoke to the TV broadcast about the wreck. It was one of those things that happens at Daytona.

“Well, Stage 1 everyone was kind of going all out there because we’re inside that fuel window where we’re able to run 100% and get to the end of the stage,” Hamlin explained. “Then Stage 2, obviously a little fuel saving going on which causes a little stack up. Just seemed like some guys wanted to go, some guys didn’t and it just caused a little contact there.”