‘Absolutely no excuse,’ Denny Hamlin blasts NASCAR over missed caution in Cody Ware's Watkins Glen wreck

Denny Hamlin didn’t hold back after the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. The veteran driver and team owner called out NASCAR’s race control for failing to throw a caution after a violent late-race crash involving Cody Ware, calling the oversight “not acceptable.” The incident happened in the closing laps of the Go Bowling at The Glen, with under 10 laps remaining. Ware’s No. 51 car spun hard, slamming driver-side into the wall near the final corner. He managed to keep going in a battered machine, but the lack of a yellow flag kept the race green, directly affecting strategy and the final result. Shane van Gisbergen went on to win, capitalizing on the clean air and track position.

According to Hamlin’s comments on his Actions Detrimental podcast, the call highlighted deeper issues with NASCAR’s incident monitoring, even with advanced camera systems in place. “Yeah, I mean, NASCAR didn’t follow a few wrecks that happened, that’s for sure. But NASCAR has to get better with that. Like, I’ve seen their control center at their production studio,” he said.

Late in the race, Cody Ware lost control exiting Turn 7. His car spun, washing up off the racing line before hammering the barrier. In-car footage showed a brutal impact. Ware was hitting nearly backward, with significant force that left visible damage to the wall and Armco barriers. Josh Berry picked up collateral damage as he drove through the scene.

NASCAR officials kept the race under green-flag conditions. Ware pitted multiple times afterward, trying to keep his car running, but eventually fell out, finishing 37th. The decision frustrated fans and drivers alike, especially since broadcast replays initially downplayed the severity. Many only saw the full extent through fan-shared in-car video. This wasn’t an isolated moment. Earlier in the weekend and in past races, similar debates over caution timing have popped up, raising questions about consistency in race control.

1. Why Denny Hamlin Called It “Not Acceptable”

Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, spoke with the authority of someone who’s seen NASCAR’s operations up close—as both a competitor and a co-owner of 23XI Racing. He pointed out that the series has the technology and multiple camera angles covering the entire 2.45-mile road course.

“There’s absolutely no excuse to not have cameras pointing in every direction of this racetrack for you not to see Cody Ware destroyed in that final corner,” Hamlin said. He argued that relying on a single person watching dozens of screens doesn’t cut it in high-stakes moments. Instead, NASCAR needs a clearer chain of command: spotters or monitors who can quickly flag hazardous incidents. “There has to be multiple people looking for dramatic events that’s going on that could be a hazard, call it in, and then it’s got to call to the next guy and then to the next guy. But you can’t just like, ‘Oh, we didn’t, we didn’t see that, No,” Hamlin added, pushing for real accountability. As a team owner who covers safety and insurance costs, his frustration weighed heavily. Drivers and crews put their bodies and careers on the line every weekend.

2. The Broader Impact on the Race and Season

Without the caution, the field didn’t bunch up for a late restart. SVG, already strong on the road course, stretched his lead and took the victory by a comfortable margin. A yellow flag would have likely triggered another round of pit stops and at least one more restart, potentially shaking up the top 10 and giving contenders like Hamlin or others a fresh shot. Hamlin sits near the top of the standings this season, with solid finishes but chasing consistency. For Ware and Rick Ware Racing, it’s another tough blow in a challenging year. The team has battled reliability and on-track incidents, and this hard hit added to the physical and financial toll. Road courses like Watkins Glen always bring extra chaos. Fans expect officials to err on the side of safety, especially after past criticism for delayed cautions in other events, like Ware’s Chicago wreck last year, where officials waited too long. Social media lit up immediately after the race. Clips of Ware’s in-car camera circulated widely, showing the violence of the hit that the main broadcast largely missed. Comments ranged from confusion to outright anger: “How do you not throw that?” and calls for better camera work from FOX Sports. Veteran observers noted the deja vu from previous no-calls or overly delayed ones. Safety remains paramount in NASCAR, especially with the Next Gen cars and evolving track barriers. Hamlin’s willingness to speak out publicly adds pressure on officials ahead of future races. This moment also ties into ongoing conversations about broadcast quality. If even dedicated fans had to hunt for the best angles, it raises issues about how incidents are presented to the wider audience.

3. Hamlin’s Season So Far

Through the first dozen races or so of 2026, Hamlin has posted one win, multiple top-fives, and a strong points position with second overall. However, he is trailing Tyler Reddick for now. His dual role as driver and owner gives him a unique perspective. When he talks about safety and race control, it’s not just one driver’s gripe. It’s coming from someone writing checks for the operation. Earlier this season, he defended Ware in a different incident at Kansas, showing he’s willing to speak fairly even when it doesn’t directly benefit him. That credibility makes his Watkins Glen comments land harder. He’s not crying foul over a minor fender-bender; he’s highlighting a system failure on a big hit that could have affected multiple cars if debris or fluid had been an issue. NASCAR will likely address the incident internally and on its weekly media platforms, such as Hauler Talk. Fans and media will watch closely for any acknowledgment or procedural changes, such as more dedicated spotters, better real-time monitoring, or clearer communication standards. For Hamlin, it’s about moving forward to the next race. Meanwhile, Ware’s team will assess the damage and prepare for recovery. This reminds us that in a sport measured in thousandths of a second, execution from every corner matters. As the Cup Series moves forward, expect more eyes on how officials handle late-race incidents, especially on demanding tracks like The Glen. Hamlin’s voice ensures the discussion won’t fade quietly.

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