Denny Hamlin admits to hitting with a member of Joey Logano’s pit crew

Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano haven’t always had the best on-track connection throughout the years. In the latest episode of their rivalry, Hamlin has admitted culpability after injuring a member of Logano’s over-the-top pit crew during the Coca-Cola 600 last week.

Hamlin cut into Logano’s pit box as he was entering his own during a series of pit stops midway through the race, clipping front tyre changer Tanner Andrews. Andrews was able to complete the stop, but earlier this week he was in a walking boot. Andrews is still anticipated to jump over the wall for Logano on Sunday at Gateway, according to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass.

The claim: Pit crews are made up of the toughest humans on Earth.

The evidence: pic.twitter.com/wKg3rkYcT1

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Logano expressed his displeasure with Hamlin over the incident to reporters on Friday at World Wide Technology Raceway, while also calling for better protection for over-the-wall personnel.

“We modified the way we pitted to make sure the No. 11 didn’t clip our guys.” We brought the tyres around the back knowing it was an issue because the carriers get out pretty far. “And the changer is down on the ground, his back to a car, and his heels are run over,” Logano said. “For starters, I don’t see why he did it because he had an opening out, so it’s simply a filthy play.”

According to the facts, there should be a penalty for it. To protect our pit crew, a rule should be established. I understand that if you step outside your box, you’re on your own. However, I believe that if you’re within your box, you’re in your house, and you should be protected there…. I believe we need to do a better job of protecting our pit crews because we shouldn’t be grazing people and doing things like that to obtain a competitive advantage. Because that’s quite dangerous when you’re pitting large racecars against humans.”

When told what Logano said, Hamlin said he had no idea he had clipped a member of Logano’s crew and that he was merely attempting to get into his own stall as soon as possible. Following a review of the incident’s video, Hamlin offered an apology.

Hamlin’s pit road gaffe is the latest in a string of mishaps with Logano. In 2013, the two had a public feud that culminated in the two colliding while fighting for the win at Fontana, an incident that caused Hamlin to miss the next four races due to a back injury. Six years later, when a discussion over an on-track collision went badly, the two got into a fight on pit road following a race in Martinsville.