Denny Hamlin Passes Ross Chastain, Eliminates Rival from NASCAR Playoffs

On the final lap of the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte, Denny Hamlin passed Ross Chastain — who was on older tires and had earlier served a pit‑road penalty — and Chastain’s desperate attempt to repass in the frontstretch chicane spun both cars, allowing Joey Logano to slip through and clinch the final Round of 8 berth by four points. Hamlin, who finished 23rd and advanced, said he would not have passed Chastain if he’d known the playoff implications and was upset his team hadn’t informed him of the situation. Chastain was despondent afterward, apologizing to teammates and Trackhouse Racing staff, and held a private, emotional conversation with Hamlin following the incident. Hamlin acknowledged Logano is a greater threat in the championship fight but said he was trying to advance and was unsure what the best decision would have been without full information. The result eliminated Chastain along with Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric from the playoffs and sends Logano — the defending champion — into the Round of 8 at Las Vegas.