Denny Hamlin humorously pointed the finger at his dog, “LuLu,” for his struggles during the latter part of the NASCAR Cup Series season. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, he and co-host Jared Allen discussed the challenges he faced in maintaining a strong position on the track since bringing LuLu into his life in St. Louis. With 54 Cup Series victories since his debut in 2006, Hamlin is part of the exclusive 50-win Cup Club, alongside NASCAR legend Junior Johnson, despite not having a championship title. This season, he has achieved three wins, nine top-5 finishes, and twelve top-10s.
Hamlin asked Allen to recap his finishing positions since the race weekend in St. Louis last June when he adopted LuLu. While he secured a second-place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway, his performance in subsequent races was less impressive. “If you don’t mind, can you tell me my average finish since we picked up this dog by the river in St. Louis?” Hamlin quipped. “Then we can decide as dog parents if we’re keeping her.” Allen replied with a list of results: “Sonoma 38th, Iowa 24th, New Hampshire 24th, Nashville 12th, Chicago 30th…” To which Hamlin added, “Nashville 12th. What a joke that was.” Allen continued to detail Hamlin’s finishes: “Pocono second, Indy 32nd, Richmond second, Michigan ninth, Daytona 38th, Darlington seventh, and then Atlanta 24th.”
Denny Hamlin jokingly held his dog “LuLu” responsible for his recent performance slump in the latter half of the NASCAR Cup Series season. During an episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, he and co-host Jared Allen delved into the challenges he’s faced in staying competitive since adopting LuLu in St. Louis. With an impressive 54 Cup Series wins since his rookie season in 2006, Hamlin finds himself in the 50-win Cup Club alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson, despite lacking a championship title.
This season, he has notched three wins, nine top-5 finishes, and twelve top-10s. Hamlin requested Allen to provide his finishing positions since the St. Louis race weekend last June when he picked up LuLu by the river. Although he finished second at World Wide Technology Raceway, his results in the following races were disappointing.
The inaugural NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race in Atlanta wrapped up with Denny Hamlin finishing in a disappointing 24th place. His race strategy revolved around a cautious approach, where he aimed to hang back in the pack to avoid any potential wrecks that could jeopardize his chances. The primary goal was to accumulate at least 20 points before heading into the next two races in the Round of 16. However, the outcome was not in his favor, as he left Atlanta with only 13 points. This setback caused him to drop to 11th place in the standings, leaving him just 2 points above the playoff cut line, intensifying the pressure as he moves forward in the playoffs.
Despite the challenges he faced on the track, Denny Hamlin maintains a sense of optimism about his prospects. In a recent podcast appearance, host Jared Allen probed Hamlin about his comfort level as he gears up for the next two critical playoff races. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota candidly admitted that he wasn’t entirely at ease with the situation. “Am I comfortable? No. Because certainly I know that some others, things can happen certainly,” he explained, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of racing and the potential for unexpected events that could impact his standing.
Hamlin also took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the upcoming races at Watkins Glen and Bristol, both of which are pivotal in determining his playoff fate. He highlighted the crucial role of tire management in these races, noting that at Watkins Glen, a new tire is being introduced that is expected to have significant fall-off. This could either work to his advantage or disadvantage, depending on how well he and his team can adapt to the changing conditions. “At Watkins Glen, we’ve got a new tire that apparently has significant fall-off, which could put us in a good or bad position,” he remarked, indicating the uncertainty that lies ahead.
Looking ahead to Bristol, Hamlin expressed uncertainty about what to expect, particularly whether the race will resemble the spring event or the fall race. “Regardless, we won both of those races. If I can just keep my head above water heading into Bristol, I’m confident we’ll perform well,” he stated, reflecting a blend of determination and hope. The upcoming playoff showdown on the road course in Upstate New York is scheduled for September 15, and Hamlin is keenly aware that every point counts as he strives to secure his place in the next round of the playoffs.
Denny Hamlin’s 54 Wins and a Furry Culprit: The Comedic Side of Blaming His Pet for Racing Slumps
