A flurry of caution flags turned the middle stage of Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway into a bit of a slog, but an epic battle between Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin in the final laps delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the year – and moments later, tensions boiled over on pit road as Ross Chastain landed a punch on Noah Gragson.
The battle for the race win came down to Larson and Hamlin, and after several unsuccessful pass attempts, Hamlin tapped Larson’s rear quarterpanel on the final lap, sending the No. 5 Chevrolet into the wall. The win ended a long drought for Hamlin, and likely locked him into the 2023 playoffs.
Fans were unhappy with Hamlin’s methods, however, and showered him with boos when he climbed out of the car at the start/finish line to celebrate.
"One of the greatest finishes here at Kansas!"@KurtBusch, @ClintBowyer and @mikejoy500 break down Denny Hamlin's battle with Kyle Larson on the last lap. pic.twitter.com/dDA8dRUCJi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
Just moments later, as Larson was being interviewed, a fight broke out between Noah Gragson and Ross Chastain.
Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson fight after the NASCAR Cup Series finish in Kansas! pic.twitter.com/EEbA4VeVZ0
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 7, 2023
Here's what happened on pit road between @NoahGragson and @RossChastain. pic.twitter.com/MMcOLASlgq
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 7, 2023
Gragson was unhappy with Chastain for running him up the track and into the wall earlier in the day. Gragson approached Chastain on pit road and grabbed his firesuit, and Chastain responded by landing a right jab.
A tough break for Noah Gragson. pic.twitter.com/Ld5vsUqsC9
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
Here’s what drivers and fans were saying after a wild ending in Kansas.
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Kyle Larson's live reaction to the Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson fight 😂 pic.twitter.com/5qvpuysnnR
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
"We have a no-push policy here at Trackhouse."- Ross Chastain on his Kansas scuffle with Noah Gragson https://t.co/g9cqmV17Um pic.twitter.com/lZZQ3v1fMT
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
I mean at least let them throw a few back and forth. 🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/CrH9IuH3yY
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) May 7, 2023
"Got fenced by [Ross Chastain] … I'm sick and tired of it."- Noah Gragson https://t.co/B0M9HYikaW pic.twitter.com/JeLAVv1dIt
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
Guess I’ll unlock my account so you can RT this one if you want. @dennyhamlin had no idea about the fight, so @bobpockrass had a video ready afterward. pic.twitter.com/0HXN4eLzhA
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 7, 2023
Punch thrown and landed in Kansas. Love the veteran move from Chastain. Gragson grabs Chastain with his left hand and Chastain's first move is to neutralize the right hand. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/hwYYQgaW3N
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) May 7, 2023
YIKES Ross connected on a punch!
Even when someone confronts Chastain he comes out on top.
WILL HE EVER GET TAUGHT A LESSON???
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) May 7, 2023
when any nascar driver gets within one car length of ross chastain pic.twitter.com/uwISacamIf
— Steve Luvender (@steveluvender) May 7, 2023
All I'm saying is that the Miami Grand Prix would have been way more interesting with Ross Chastain in it
— Alanis King (@alanisnking) May 7, 2023
larson raced hamlin clean for several laps just to get junked
— carnation™️🗿 (@CarnationBoi) May 7, 2023
Crowd boos Hamlin after the finish #NASCAR #AdventHealth400 pic.twitter.com/ObH9VUkgbI
— NASCAR Guy (@MegaDriver86) May 7, 2023
I hope everyone understands that Hamlin didn’t wreck Larson… Larson scrubbed the wall & fell right back in to the 11’s nose. There was no way you could expect the 11 to let off the gas in a spot like that… he lifts, he loses.
Hell of a finish. Love that for Denny, man.
— Keith Marek | #di9 #JJ84 (@KeithMarek) May 7, 2023
I just smashed my TV in front of 30 guests at my party because of this series. My wife just took our crying kids and said they’re all spending the week at a hotel. Denny Hamlin has ruined my life and my party. I can’t handle this anymore. Goodbye NASCAR. I am no longer a fan. pic.twitter.com/Li0ADYCisC
— Uncle Ruckus (@RuckusNASCAR) May 7, 2023
denny hamlin on the last lap: https://t.co/rvOo68Nq05
— Steve Luvender (@steveluvender) May 7, 2023
