As the 2024 season was set to begin with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, Denny Hamlin found himself uncertain about his ability to compete in this unofficial season opener. The seasoned championship contender had recently undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to remove a bone spur during the off-season. The procedure was expertly carried out by Dr. Patrick Connor at the Charlotte Surgery Center. However, at the start of the year, no one could predict how long Denny’s recovery would take.
Despite the doubts surrounding him, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver silenced his critics at the Clash, moving from pole position to first place during what was supposed to be his rehabilitation period in California. He exceeded expectations by not only securing three victories but also clinching a playoff spot well ahead of the Richmond fall race last Sunday.
However, after experiencing a crash reminiscent of past incidents, Denny’s shoulder issues seem to have flared up again. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic, believing that these challenges won’t hinder his quest
Denny Hamlin was just inches away from clinching another victory at Richmond as he approached the finish line during overtime. However, standing in his way was a determined Austin Dillon, willing to do whatever it took to secure his spot in the 2024 playoffs. Dillon first nudged Joey Logano’s bumper to create an opening for his first trip to Victory Lane in nearly two years. Then, the #3 car executed a right rear hook on Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, sneaking up on the inside to snatch the win right from under him.
What followed was a dramatic “32-G spike in the wall off of turn four, coming to the checkered flag,” marking the “highest ever recorded” in a JGR Toyota, as noted by crew chief Chris Gabehart on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. For viewers at home, the crash appeared just as intense, with the No. 11 car careening up the track and slamming hard into the outside barriers on the backstretch. In his post-race comments, Denny Hamlin disclosed that the impact had once again “blown his damn shoulder out.”
Fortunately, the JGR driver managed to avoid a serious injury. However, the ongoing concerns about his shoulder issues at Richmond carried over to Michigan, prompted by a question from NBC’s Dustin Long during the pre-race press conference on Saturday.
Long asked Hamlin, “You mentioned the shoulder after the race. I know you’ve undergone various treatments in the past, and it might never be 100%. But how was your shoulder, or what was your condition after that contact?” Hamlin responded, “Yeah… my whole right side really took the hit. When you consider how these Next-Gen cars handle crashes, a flat side impact is one of the worst scenarios. There’s no crush zone to absorb the impact. Honestly, it would have been better to hit head-on or back it in, since we have softer bumpers and all that now.”
Denny Hamlin raised additional concerns regarding the safety and quality of the Generation 7 car by recalling a perilous crash he faced during the rain-delayed 2022 Daytona fall race. He noted, “It felt very much like the Daytona rain crash when I was leading. I lost control, hit the wall flat on the right side, and it caused pain on my right side then too. It was just a bizarre situation, and honestly, even at 100 miles an hour, you can still experience a significant impact.”
As a seasoned veteran with nearly two decades of experience, Hamlin is well-acquainted with the risks that stock car drivers encounter week after week. In response to Dustin Long’s question, Lee Spencer from SiriusXM NASCAR Radio asked Hamlin if his shoulder injury would hinder his chances of winning the championship this year. With unwavering confidence, Hamlin dismissed the concern, stating, “No, I had some internal issues that needed fixing, and now they’re resolved.”
However, he painted a more somber picture, admitting, “Even though it’s been about eight or nine months since the surgery… rotator cuffs take a long time to heal. I’m not as young as I once was, so my recovery isn’t as quick. Last year, I kept aggravating the injury by racing, but this year, I’m improving week by week.” When Lee Spencer asked if he still felt optimistic about his chances for the Bill France Cup in 2024, Hamlin simply nodded and affirmed with a determined “Yes!”
Reflecting on his extensive history of injuries, it’s clear that Denny Hamlin has faced numerous challenges in his long quest for that elusive Cup Series championship.
The youthful JGR rookie, still in his early 20s, has experienced nearly every aspect of the thrilling realm of stock car racing, except for the coveted championship title. From co-owning a flourishing NASCAR team alongside NBA icon Michael Jordan to establishing himself as a prominent voice through his weekly podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin has truly become a legendary figure in the sport.
With an impressive tally of 55 race victories in NASCAR’s top tier, yet no championship to his name, it’s safe to say he has encountered it all. However, the physical toll this pursuit has taken on Hamlin is evident, marked by a history of injuries spanning over a decade. In 2010, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a basketball mishap.
Jump to 2013, and a last-lap collision at Auto Club Speedway resulted in a serious back injury. Although Denny Hamlin didn’t need surgery, he was sidelined for six consecutive weeks. Then, in 2015, he faced another setback when he tore the ACL in his other knee. Additionally, in 2019, he underwent treatment for a “genetic” growth issue on his left shoulder.
A few years down the line, in 2023, this resilient Virginia native faced a real challenge. After being involved in some dramatic crashes, he discovered that the injury to his other shoulder had worsened during the off-season in November. Speaking to Kelly Crandall of RACER.com after his surgery, he admitted, “I realized I had really messed up my shoulder during Vegas week, and even though I continued racing after that, it only made things worse… Competing with that injury was just not a good idea.”
Chase Elliott had a notable run-in with Hamlin, sending him into the wall on the straightaway after a series of earlier encounters in the race. This incident left Hamlin with significant physical pain. Ironically, Chase Elliott also had to undergo surgery that off-season for a torn labrum. Nevertheless, these events only added to the growing legacy of Denny Hamlin. As he prepares to start from pole position in the 2024 Firekeepers Casino 400, this future Hall of Famer will undoubtedly have a few rivals in mind.
The youthful JGR rookie, still in his early 20s, has experienced nearly every aspect of the thrilling realm of stock car racing, except for the coveted championship title. From co-owning a flourishing NASCAR team alongside NBA icon Michael Jordan to establishing himself as a prominent voice through his weekly podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin has truly become a legendary figure in the sport.
With an impressive tally of 55 race victories in NASCAR’s top tier, yet no championship to his name, it’s safe to say he has encountered it all. However, the physical toll this pursuit has taken on Hamlin is evident, marked by a history of injuries spanning over a decade. In 2010, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a basketball mishap.
Jump to 2013, and a last-lap collision at Auto Club Speedway resulted in a serious back injury. Although Denny Hamlin didn’t need surgery, he was sidelined for six consecutive weeks. Then, in 2015, he faced another setback when he tore the ACL in his other knee. Additionally, in 2019, he underwent treatment for a “genetic” growth issue on his left shoulder.
A few years down the line, in 2023, this resilient Virginia native faced a real challenge. After being involved in some dramatic crashes, he discovered that the injury to his other shoulder had worsened during the off-season in November. Speaking to Kelly Crandall of RACER.com after his surgery, he admitted, “I realized I had really messed up my shoulder during Vegas week, and even though I continued racing after that, it only made things worse… Competing with that injury was just not a good idea.”
Chase Elliott had a notable run-in with Hamlin, sending him into the wall on the straightaway after a series of earlier encounters in the race. This incident left Hamlin with significant physical pain. Ironically, Chase Elliott also had to undergo surgery that off-season for a torn labrum. Nevertheless, these events only added to the growing legacy of Denny Hamlin. As he prepares to start from pole position in the 2024 Firekeepers Casino 400, this future Hall of Famer will undoubtedly have a few rivals in mind.
