Video: Denny Hamlin Makes Contact With Larson For the Lead, Cuts Tire and Goes Into Wall

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are without a doubt the top-two favorites for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series title. In Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, both drivers were battling for the lead with 100 laps left in the 500 lap event.

Then, Hamlin made contact with Larson’s left rear quarterpanel. The contact instantly cut the right front tire on Hamlin’s car. Hamlin went straight into the wall when he reached the next turn.

Here is video of the incident that led to Hamlin pounding the wall:

The good news: Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson have both clinched a spot in the next round.

The bad news: the two got together, Hamlin cut a tire, then Hamlin hit the wall. #NASCARPlayoffs | NBCSN pic.twitter.com/mPLt5I4TSD

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 19, 2021

Fortunately, for Hamlin, he is already locked into the Round of 12 of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by virtue of his race win at Darlington.