Hamlin stands up to Stewart, rivalry brews

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When Denny Hamlin refused to quietly take teammate Tony Stewart’s criticism, it marked a rare occasion of a young driver not rolling over for the two-time NASCAR champion.

And sending word through the media that he didn’t appreciate being publicly blamed for their accident in Daytona showed that Hamlin has the confidence – or ego – to go toe-to-toe with his teammate. After all, the budding young star is the future of Joe Gibbs Racing and probably believes he’s above being bullied.

The public sniping forced team owner Joe Gibbs to interrupt his vacation and make a pit stop in Chicago, where he gave a 30-minute lecture on playing well with others to his top two drivers.

It was a strong stand by Hamlin. A power-play of sorts. But when it was over, Stewart took to the track to prove he’s still the star of that team.

By driving his way into Victory Lane for the first time this season, and doing it a day after being chastised by Gibbs, Stewart again showed his remarkable ability to thrive during adversity.

His resume is checkered with wins that came during controversy, such as the Watkins Glen victory in 2002, which came a week after Stewart punched a photographer, and Chicago in 2004 after he wrecked Kasey Kahne, which led to a fight in the pits between their crews.

Sunday’s win at Chicagoland Speedway proved that Stewart does his best work during the most chaotic times.

“You know, there is something to be said for that,” team president J.D. Gibbs acknowledged. “Of course, with Tony there’s always a lot of chaos going on.”

Most of it self-inflicted, including this spat with Hamlin.

The two were running first and second in the early part of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona a week ago when Stewart ran into the back of Hamlin, causing both cars to crash into the wall. Stewart immediately blamed Hamlin, claiming the lead driver slowed in front of him.

That explanation was ridiculed by rival drivers.

“Even if it was a situation where I had wrecked him from behind, he still probably shouldn’t have thrown me under the bus as far as he did,” Hamlin said.