Even though Denny Hamlin has secured his spot in the playoffs, he still harbors some concerns heading into the final race. His team, 23XI Racing, is performing admirably with Tyler Reddick already in the playoffs, but Bubba Wallace’s future remains uncertain. The upcoming race at Darlington Raceway represents the last opportunity for the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE to break into the top 16, placing immense pressure on the entire team.
Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick have successfully made it to the playoffs, but all eyes are on Wallace as he faces his final chance. With the season’s last race upon us, fans are eager to know what thoughts are occupying Hamlin’s mind.
In his pre-race interview, Denny Hamlin reflects on the significance of Darlington as the final race. This is the last opportunity for drivers to secure their playoff positions, and Hamlin finds himself at the center of attention. Known for its challenging tire wear, Darlington can be unforgiving; a single misstep could lead to disaster. Hamlin is well aware of the stakes. During the interview, a reporter posed the question, “Denny, with this being the cut race and the final event of the regular season, does that diminish the significance of it also being the Southern?”
Hamlin was quick to share his thoughts, stating, “I hope not. This race and racetrack are incredibly challenging. It’s always been viewed as one of the tougher events, perhaps the third most significant in the majors. In my opinion, this race and track present far more difficulty than something like Charlotte.” Despite the fact that this race is shorter than the final race leading into the playoffs, Hamlin firmly believes that Darlington poses a greater challenge.
He elaborated, “The 600 miles at Charlotte feels like a walk in the park compared to the 500 here at Darlington. So, yeah, I really hope not, because this is a major event that we definitely prioritize.” After hearing Hamlin discuss the race’s challenges, the interviewer posed another question: “Does it seem fitting that the toughest track on the schedule will determine the playoff lineup?”
Hamlin was prepared with his response, saying, “Absolutely. It’s going to put everyone to the test. While it may seem straightforward on paper—like one driver having a significant lead over another—the reality is that the gaps can be misleading.” He went on to highlight the critical role of tire wear in the race, noting how many cars end up being lapped as the race progresses. He recalled their strong performance last year, which was derailed by a loose wheel in the third stage.
Even though Denny Hamlin is secure in the playoffs, one of his co-owned team drivers is facing a crucial moment. Tyler Reddick has successfully made it into the playoffs with two race victories this season, but Bubba Wallace is still struggling to catch up.
Denny Hamlin reflected on the evolution of 23XI Racing and the progress made over the years during a recent interview. He delved into the current season’s challenges and opportunities for Bubba Wallace, comparing it to the previous year. Last season, Wallace secured a playoff spot as a driver, but the 23 car fell short in the owner standings, a crucial aspect in NASCAR.
Hamlin noted that Wallace finds himself in a similar points situation as last year. However, he pointed out that if Chase Elliott hadn’t missed several races earlier in the season, Wallace could be facing a more difficult scenario. Currently, Wallace is the first driver in the dropoff zone, a topic Hamlin elaborated on. He emphasized that merely being in the top 16 doesn’t guarantee safety in the playoffs; drivers ideally need to rank at least 12th to feel “somewhat okay” about their standing. Despite Wallace achieving five top 5 finishes this year, races at Talladega, Dover, and New Hampshire have pushed his overall points into a precarious position.
As the season nears its end, uncertainty looms over what lies ahead for the drivers. Will this be Bubba Wallace’s final Cup Series race of the year? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
