Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has voiced frustration over the aggressive tactics used by competitors, suggesting that these rough racing strategies have contributed to the recent struggles of the #11 team. While Gabehart recognizes that a bit of bumping and pushing can make racing more exciting, he believes it also creates unnecessary pressure on drivers and takes away from the true essence of racing.
Hamlin, who had a successful regular season with three wins at Bristol, Richmond, and Dover, entered the playoffs in a strong position, starting at 6th place (P6). However, his playoff journey took a downturn after a crash at Atlanta, dropping him to a 24th place finish (P24) and sliding his position down to 11th in the playoff standings. Things only got worse when Hamlin got caught up in two additional wrecks at Watkins Glen, causing him to fall further in the rankings, placing him near the bottom of the top 16 playoff drivers.
Discussing the crashes that set Hamlin back in both races, Gabehart opened up during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He pointed out that these incidents were out of Hamlin’s hands and that the team was essentially at the mercy of their competition’s mistakes. Reflecting on the situation, Gabehart said, “We unfortunately got caught up in somebody else’s mess.” He explained how a mistake in qualifying set them up for disaster during the early restart, saying, “We just missed turn one, and that’s all it took. We got into somebody else’s wreck, but we figured out a way to make the most of that.”
Despite the chaotic nature of these playoff races, Gabehart also acknowledged that the high stakes add intensity to the sport, forcing drivers to push harder than ever before. While this ramps up the excitement, he’s concerned that the racing is starting to resemble a demolition derby rather than a true test of skill. “It sure seems like the optics are starting to turn into bumper cars, and that’s not racing,” he remarked, expressing uncertainty about what can be done to fix the situation. In his view, the sport is becoming messier and less controlled, which detracts from the competitiveness of the races.
Now, Hamlin’s ability to advance in the NASCAR Cup playoffs rests on his upcoming performance at Bristol Motor Speedway. With an average finish of 13.6 at this track and back-to-back victories in his last two appearances there, Hamlin has shown he can dominate on this course. However, if misfortune strikes again and he’s involved in another crash, Hamlin could fail to close the six-point gap standing between him and a spot in the Round of 12, which would result in his elimination from the playoffs.
Despite the challenges, Gabehart remains optimistic about their chances at Bristol. Even though the #11 team is facing a six-point deficit, he’s confident in their ability to bounce back on a track where they’ve had success before. Referring to the upcoming race at Bristol, Gabehart expressed confidence, calling it “our house,” indicating that this is a track where Hamlin feels comfortable and has historically performed well. He remains calm, focused, and ready for the next challenge.
Hamlin also shares this optimism, refusing to be discouraged by the setbacks. During his post-race interview, Hamlin echoed his crew chief’s sentiment, stating, “It’s not over yet. Not over until the end of Bristol.” His determination to keep fighting reflects the team’s belief that they can still turn things around and advance in the playoffs.
The upcoming Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol is a critical moment for Hamlin and his team. Unlike the previous race in March, which took place in the afternoon, this race will kick off under the lights on September 21 at 7:30 PM ET. With so much on the line, all eyes will be on Hamlin to see if he can overcome the challenges and secure a spot in the Round of 12. A strong performance at Bristol could be the turning point they need to get their playoff run back on track, but another wreck could spell the end of their championship hopes.
In conclusion, the road to the NASCAR Cup playoffs has been rocky for Denny Hamlin and his team, but they are far from giving up. Gabehart’s frustration with aggressive tactics highlights the challenges of racing in such a competitive environment, but the team remains confident in their abilities, especially as they head to a familiar and successful track. All will be revealed at Bristol, where Hamlin’s fate in the playoffs will be decided.
