Teammates aren’t supposed to spin each other out, but that’s exactly what happened at Sonoma. Ross Chastain sent Daniel Suarez spinning during lap 45, and the heated radio exchange that followed had NASCAR fans buzzing.
What made it even more compelling was Denny Hamlin’s take on the whole mess.
Denny Hamlin Analyzes the Sonoma Incident Between Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez
Hamlin didn’t mince words when breaking down the incident on his latest “Actions Detrimental” podcast episode. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver offered a straightforward assessment of what he saw unfold between the Trackhouse teammates.
“It looked like Ross just got in there deep, lost control of his car and then Suarez was the cushion that helped him slow down,” Hamlin said. “That pretty much what it kind of looked like. Obviously was not intentional on Ross’ part, he just lost control of his car.”
Hamlin backed up Suarez’s right to be upset while also defending Chastain’s actions as unintentional. The veteran driver emphasized that Chastain simply drove too deep into the turn and lost control, with his teammate unfortunately becoming collateral damage in the process.
What Happened Between Suarez and Chastain?
The incident unfolded during lap 45 of the Cup Series race at Sonoma. Suarez found himself sandwiched between Joey Logano and his own teammate, Chastain. The contact came when Chastain bumped Suarez from behind, causing Chastain to lose control of his car heading into turn 11.
That’s when things got messy. Chastain spun his teammate, sending Suarez tumbling down the running order all the way back to 29th place. The Mexican driver wasn’t having any of it.
Suarez unleashed his frustration over the team radio with a clear message: “You better hope I don’t get to him today.” Meanwhile, Chastain tried to make amends by sending an apology through his spotter, insisting the contact wasn’t intentional.
Daniel Suárez spins after getting stacked up between Joey Logano and teammate Ross Chastain at Sonoma. He vowed revenge 😳
“You better hope I don’t get to him today.”
More: https://t.co/EfxpncD7e8pic.twitter.com/iWOvCvr2hM
— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) July 13, 2025
Despite the setback, Suarez managed to rally back and finish inside the top 15. However, with Trackhouse Racing already confirming his departure at season’s end, this incident adds another layer of tension to an already complicated situation between the teammates.
MORE: Daniel Suarez Brushes Off Ross Chastain’s Attempt to Make Amends After Costly Sonoma Spin
The timing of this incident carries extra weight given where both drivers stand in the playoff picture. Suarez currently sits outside the playoff cutline and desperately needs a victory to secure his spot in the postseason.
Chastain, meanwhile, has already punched his ticket to the playoffs thanks to his victory earlier in the season at Charlotte. With only a handful of races remaining before the playoffs begin, the pressure is mounting for Suarez to deliver.
Meanwhile, Trackhouse Racing faces the challenge of managing the tension between their drivers, though Suarez’s upcoming departure might make him less concerned about team harmony.
Whether Suarez remains in the Cup Series or drops down to the Xfinity Series next season, his immediate focus remains on proving his worth and securing a competitive ride with another organization before his options run out.