Denny Hamlin, a driver known for excelling on superspeedways, had a race to forget during the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta. His performance left fans and analysts scratching their heads, as it seemed out of character for a driver of his caliber. Hamlin and Joey Logano are two of the Cup Series’ most formidable drivers on oval tracks, and while Logano clinched victory in Atlanta, Hamlin struggled to find his rhythm. His decision to employ a defensive strategy turned out to be a significant miscalculation, leading to a disappointing result and widespread criticism from the racing community, including some from his own team.
This season, Hamlin has been in solid form, with three victories already under his belt. He entered the playoffs as one of the top contenders for the championship, with expectations of a strong performance. Given his history on tracks like the 1.540-mile quad-oval in Atlanta, fans and pundits alike expected him to put in a strong showing. However, a P24 finish was far below expectations, a result that Hamlin himself would likely rather forget.
The troubles for Hamlin began during the qualifiers when a powertrain issue sent him to the back of the grid for the main race. This was a challenging position to start from, but it was his approach during the race itself that became the bigger issue. Rather than attacking the race aggressively, Hamlin adopted a conservative, defensive strategy. Unfortunately, this backfired in a major way. Finishing in 24th place, Hamlin failed to score any playoff points and now sits precariously just two points above the elimination line.
What made this strategy particularly surprising was that Hamlin is typically a favorite on a track like Atlanta. His expertise in superspeedways is well-known, and many expected him to be a front-runner. Yet, instead of pushing forward, the 43-year-old waited for an expected wreck to thin the field. This strategy, which relied on a high level of caution, ended up being a mistake, as the wreck didn’t materialize in his favor. Worse still, he failed to secure any stage points and ended up involved in a wreck himself.
For a driver of Hamlin’s reputation, it’s safe to say that this approach was a misstep that haunted him and his team at Joe Gibbs Racing. Fans and fellow drivers alike questioned his decision-making. Veteran driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., a close friend of Hamlin, was vocal in his surprise at the cautious approach. On his podcast, Earnhardt Jr. commented, “If I am a Denny Hamlin fan…he’s just out of character. I was a little surprised by that approach from him.”
Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t the only one to express disappointment. Kevin Harvick, another veteran of the sport, was equally critical. Harvick bluntly stated, “Whatever it was, it’s a complete failure. Denny Hamlin is great on the superspeedway… you cannot race this car scared.” His comments reflected the sentiment that Hamlin’s strategy went against his natural instincts as a driver who thrives on high-speed, aggressive racing.
Even within Hamlin’s own camp, there was acknowledgment that the strategy had been flawed. Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s crew chief, weighed in on the situation during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Gabehart explained that he and Hamlin had been on the same page about starting cautiously, intending to avoid early race mishaps. However, Gabehart admitted that Hamlin’s overall conservatism caught him by surprise. “I didn’t expect the rest of it to be as conservative as it was on his behalf…I wish we would have changed our approach,” Gabehart said, lamenting the missed opportunity to steer Hamlin in a more aggressive direction.
This miscommunication and lack of alignment between Hamlin and his crew proved costly. However, Gabehart remains optimistic that the team can rebound. With upcoming races, including the Watkins Glen event, Hamlin and his team have a chance to turn things around and put this Atlanta disappointment behind them.
Despite the setback in Atlanta, Denny Hamlin remains a strong contender in the Cup Series this season. His consistency has been notable, with nine top-five and 12 top-ten finishes so far. Yet, the pressure is mounting for him to capitalize on every opportunity in the playoffs. The next chance for redemption comes at Watkins Glen, a road course where Hamlin has historically done well.
Watkins Glen has seen a significant evolution in Hamlin’s performance over the years. In 17 races there, he has secured one victory, along with six top-five finishes and nine top-ten results. His earlier years at the track were challenging, as he struggled to break into the top 25 between 2010 and 2016. However, since 2016, Hamlin has consistently been a strong contender at Watkins Glen, finishing out of the top five only twice.
On his podcast, *Actions Detrimental*, Hamlin shared his thoughts on the upcoming race and the key factors that would contribute to success at Watkins Glen. “It’s one of my favorite road courses,” he said. “Qualifying is really, really important there… it’s just, you gotta qualify well. That’s going to be the key.” Hamlin emphasized that the high speeds and aerodynamic demands of the track make starting positions crucial to success.
One of the major variables for the upcoming race at Watkins Glen will be the new tires being used. These tires could have a significant impact on the race, and Hamlin believes they could be a game-changer. He explained that the new tire compound could wear much faster than what drivers are accustomed to, adding another layer of strategy to the race. “This will be the X-Factor, with this new tire, if it does wear as quick as they’re talking about, you’re going to have one shot at it,” Hamlin said, referring to the importance of getting the most out of each set of tires without overextending them.
This unpredictability around the new tires could play to Hamlin’s advantage if he and his team can quickly adapt to the changing conditions. However, it also presents a risk, as any miscalculation could result in another disappointing finish.
### A Crucial Moment
The Watkins Glen race is pivotal for Hamlin as he looks to regain momentum in the playoffs. With his position above the elimination line hanging by a thread, every race from here on out becomes crucial in his quest for a championship. Hamlin’s experience and skill on the road course give him a solid foundation, but the combination of new tire dynamics and the pressure of the playoffs will test him and his team.
In the world of NASCAR, fortunes can change in an instant, and Hamlin will be hoping that Watkins Glen marks the turning point in his campaign for the Cup Series title. Whether he can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.
Following the callout from Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick, an insider for Denny Hamlin acknowledges a ‘mistake’ in the strategy for Atlanta.
