Denny Hamlin, a seasoned veteran in the NASCAR circuit, expressed his frustration after the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, stating, “I tried to steer clear of crashes all day, but I ended up in the last one.” Despite his efforts to navigate the race safely, he ultimately finished in 24th place, a disappointing outcome for a driver of his caliber. Known for his prowess on superspeedways, Hamlin has celebrated nine career victories at iconic tracks like Daytona and Talladega, positioning him as one of the top contenders in these high-stakes environments. However, as the 2024 season unfolded, both he and fellow driver Joey Logano found themselves languishing at the bottom of the playoff rankings for drafting tracks, a surprising turn of events given their historical success.
The race at Atlanta showcased a stark contrast in racing strategies between Hamlin and Logano. While Logano took a more aggressive approach, making bold moves to gain positions, Hamlin opted for a more conservative strategy, choosing to hang back and avoid potential collisions. This cautious route, however, proved to be ineffective in the fast-paced environment of Atlanta, where the dynamics of the race shifted rapidly. The radio communications during the race highlighted Hamlin’s growing concerns as he realized that his strategy was not yielding the desired results.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 champion, is well aware of the traditional tactics that have led drivers to victory at Daytona and Talladega. Historically, the winning strategy has involved biding one’s time and capitalizing on late-race incidents, a method that has been embraced by Joe Gibbs Racing for years. Legendary drivers like Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte have exemplified this approach, forming a half-throttle alliance on superspeedways that allowed them to avoid early-race chaos and strike when the moment was right. Unfortunately for Hamlin, his luck seemed to have run dry at Atlanta, where the atmosphere among drivers shifted towards a more protective mindset, resulting in fewer drafting-related accidents.
As the race progressed, Hamlin reflected on his strategy, stating, “I did what I wanted to do, which was hang back for most of the race and see how things unfolded.” However, he quickly recognized that the race dynamics were changing. The pivotal moment came when Kyle Larson made an unexpected move across the track, resulting in a collision with the wall. This incident triggered a series of events that led to Hamlin experiencing significant handling issues with his car. In a moment of urgency, he communicated his concerns to his crew.
The mechanical troubles didn’t just affect Larson; they also plagued Chase Elliott, his teammate at Hendrick Motorsports. During a pit stop, the No. 9 driver collided with Austin Cindric and found himself squeezed between Corey LaJoie and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. When Elliott lost control again, Denny Hamlin became part of the chaos. As the race approached its final stage, Hamlin expressed his concerns about his car’s instability: “Chris, I’m loose as f-ck. I just think it’s not worth it right now.” The crew chief responded with a resigned sigh: “You’re driving, not me.”
Elliott’s accidental contact with Ross Chastain ended up involving Hamlin and several others. In the end, Hamlin’s cautious strategy to avoid risks for a mere 20 points didn’t pay off. Meanwhile, Joey Logano’s bold move to the front secured him the first playoff victory. This isn’t the first time Hamlin’s strategy has faltered during critical playoff moments, as his past shows.
Denny Hamlin has a history of stumbling at the end of the season.
While it’s not quite the end of the season yet, we have moved beyond the regular races. Denny Hamlin has a track record of squandering opportunities when the stakes are high. In 2019, the No. 11 JGR team was on a roll—Hamlin kicked off the year with an emotional win at the Daytona 500 and added five more Cup victories, an impressive achievement with rookie crew chief Chris Gabehart. However, just as he was on the verge of clinching the Cup Series championship, a piece of black tape obstructed his car’s grille, derailing his chances.
Denny Hamlin’s Atlanta Strategy: A Candid Look at His True Fears and Radio Insights
