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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