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Denny Hamlin, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, expressed significant regret on Monday regarding his performance during the final restart at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, indicating a desire for a do-over. Speaking on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, Hamlin detailed a series of events he believes conspired against him in a race he felt was within his grasp. The incident in question occurred with just four laps remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series event when a caution flag waved for Cody Ware’s flat tire, bringing the field back together for a pivotal restart.
Hamlin, who had just reassigned the lead from Tyler Reddick, found himself in a precarious position on the restart. He specifically cited Kyle Larson’s aggressive three-wide maneuver in the middle lane as a critical turning point. "In hindsight, Denny Hamlin wishes he would not have let Kyle Larson force him three-wide middle on the final restart on Sunday at Kansas Speedway," Hamlin stated, reflecting on the pivotal moment. He further elaborated that, with the benefit of hindsight, he would have also opted for the outside lane on the restart, a strategic choice he now believes might have altered the outcome.
The sequence of events that unfolded on the restart, according to Hamlin, was a combination of factors both within and beyond his control. Following the caution flag, Hamlin found himself leading, poised to take the white flag, signifying one lap remaining. However, the caution for Ware’s stalled vehicle on track reset the field and presented a new challenge. During this crucial restart, Hamlin was ultimately overtaken.
A significant contributing factor, as identified by Hamlin, was the aggressive racing involving Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell. Hamlin contends that if Reddick had not made contact with Bell, pushing him into the wall and subsequently into Hamlin’s path, he might have maintained his lead. "Like, of the Reddick contact with Bell doesn’t happen, and I don’t get (driven) all the way down to the apron… Kyle (Larson’s) car was so bad those last two laps," Hamlin explained on his podcast. He attributed Larson’s difficulties in those closing moments to a setup issue, likely related to the car’s tire strategy. "That’s what happens (extreme tight balance) when you put on (right sides) and have really old lefts. That’s why it looked like Tyler was superman."
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Hamlin further elaborated on his anticipation of the restart. "I thought I was going to be three-wide with (Larson and Reddick) entering turn three because of the run I got on the top." This suggests a proactive strategic assessment of the racing dynamics that ultimately did not unfold as anticipated.
The three-wide situation initiated by Larson into Turn 1 is an element Hamlin specifically wishes to address moving forward. He expressed a clear intention to prevent a repeat of this scenario. "I know, because I’ve been there before, that (Larson) is not going to push," Hamlin stated, referring to Larson’s reputation for assertive racing. "He’s going to try to get everything he can to go three-wide and I’ve just got to drive him down to the apron. ‘If you want to go three-wide, you have to go to the middle,’ and this is just a forewarning." Hamlin’s forceful declaration indicates a shift in his approach to defending against such maneuvers: "If this happens again, he’s going to have to go the middle. I will not let him. I will run to the apron or keep him on the apron next time. I will not get beat low at this racetrack again." This statement underscores a determination to proactively manage the racing surface and prevent being outmaneuvered on the lower lines.
The decision to restart on the bottom lane, typically considered the preferred line with statistical advantages, has come under scrutiny. Hamlin acknowledged that, as the control car, he had the option to choose his starting lane. While statistical data often supports the bottom lane for restarts on mile-and-a-half tracks, Hamlin admitted that this strategy is predicated on receiving a push from behind, a factor he believes was absent in this instance due to Larson’s independent maneuver.
"Should have, I should have, as strong as I know my cars are on the top on mile-and-a-half tracks, I absolutely should have started at the top, no matter what," Hamlin confessed. He highlighted the advantage of the top lane at Kansas, stating, "I could hold more throttle than everyone else." This admission points to a potential miscalculation in adhering to statistical norms over a known car strength on a particular track configuration.
When questioned about his rationale for choosing the bottom lane despite his knowledge of the top lane’s efficacy, Hamlin reiterated the prevailing data. "The bottom is the preferred line," he said. "The bottom wins by the numbers. The data says the bottom." This reveals a common dilemma in motorsports: balancing empirical data with on-track intuition and car performance characteristics.
However, Hamlin concluded that the traditional statistical advantage of the bottom lane was negated in this specific scenario. "People are not content pushing anymore," he observed. "Everyone is just going to go for themselves. And that’s where you have to just throw the numbers out." This sentiment reflects a broader trend in modern NASCAR racing, where individual pursuit of track position can override traditional drafting and pushing strategies.
The disappointment for Hamlin is compounded by the context of his career. With his next season slated to be his final full-time campaign, the loss at Kansas, following a similar near-win at Martinsville earlier in the season, weighs heavily. "I took this one a little tougher because I just want to capitalize," Hamlin stated, emphasizing his desire to convert strong performances into victories. "I’ve only got 60 races left and I just want to get these wins when I should be winning and it’s just not happening." He directly contrasted this outcome with the Martinsville race, where a loose wheel at the end contributed to his defeat, framing the Kansas result as a matter of "luck category or the creating your own luck category, which is what I chalk this up to." This indicates a perception that the outcome was not solely determined by on-track execution but also by external factors and perhaps a lack of proactive self-creation of advantageous situations.
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues, with teams and drivers analyzing performances and strategizing for future events. Hamlin’s reflections on the Kansas Speedway restart highlight the intricate interplay of strategy, execution, and sometimes unpredictable racing dynamics that define the sport. The outcome at Kansas, where Tyler Reddick secured the victory, serves as a reminder of the fine margins that often separate triumph from disappointment in the competitive landscape of NASCAR.
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