Denny Hamlin stands with Martin Truex Jr. about poor driver conduct on the current grid, decries lack of respect in NASCAR

Denny Hamlin agreed with fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr.'s comments regarding the conduct of NASCAR drivers. Truex was upset after the Watkins Glen race last weekend, where only two of the 16 playoff drivers finished in the top 10.

The race witnessed multiple crashes and incidents. Truex finished in 20th place and criticized the driving of other drivers on the grid post-race.

In the latest episode of his podcast "Actions Detrimental," Hamlin agreed with Truex Jr.'s comments. He claimed there's not "a whole lot of respect" among the drivers and said some were being too aggressive.

"There’s certainly not a whole lot of respect amongst the drivers, especially in these green-white-checkered situations. We see it over and over, year after year and it just keeps getting a little worse each year. There’s just no regard anymore. If there’s a quarter of a car width wide, someone’s gonna jam it in there in Turn 1 and if you spin, that’s not their problem," Hamlin said (49:50).

Denny Hamlin further explained that drivers are squeezing into tight spaces and causing crashes.

"It seems it’s not going well at the end of these races when it comes to green-white-checkereds. Guys are running over each other for one spot, but there’s not much you can do to change it. Martin just saying, ‘I’m done, I’m out of here,’ is just quintessential Martin Truex," he added (50:30).

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"It’s very frustrating but it is what it is these days" - Martin Truex Jr.

After announcing his retirement from full-time racing in the Cup Series this year, Martin Truex Jr. is having a tough season.

The 44-year-old is 14 points behind the playoff cut-line after the Watkins Glen race. He has not finished in the top five since May and needs a win at Bristol to stay in the playoffs.

Truex Jr. has previously done well at Watkins Glen and road courses. He won four Cup races at Sonoma, one at Watkins Glen in 2017, and also finished in the top three in four of his last six races there.

However, Truex Jr. was frustrated after the last race, where Kyle Larson blocked the track and caused a crash with Truex Jr., Josh Berry, and Austin Cindric on the last restart.

"It’s just crazy that all these races always come down to this. I don’t really understand how guys can call themselves the best in the world when they just drive through everyone on restarts at the end of these races. It’s very frustrating but it is what it is these days, so I’m out of here," Truex Jr. said.