Hamlin Dominates at Gateway, Advances in NASCAR Playoffs

Denny Hamlin Dominates at Gateway and Advances in NASCAR Playoffs

NASCAR star driver Denny Hamlin once again demonstrated his focus and determination by securing a dominant victory at the World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, ensuring his advancement in the Cup Series playoffs. Despite the adversities, including his father’s illness and the defeat of his 23XI Racing team in a legal battle with NASCAR, Hamlin remained focused and had an almost perfect weekend, starting from the pole position and leading the most laps.

I just put in the effort. The only thing I can do is keep learning from the game, keep trying to improve, and every week is an opportunity to be a little better.

Denny Hamlin

With his fifth win of the season, Hamlin advanced to the second round of the playoffs, joining his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, who finished second. Chase Elliott completed the podium, followed by Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, solidifying the playoff drivers in the top five. The No. 11 Toyota team called Hamlin to the pits for his final stop with 44 laps remaining, and he regained the lead after a caution. Hamlin secured the victory on the restart, delivering Toyota’s 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series. Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver celebrated with a long burnout, delighting the crowd with his victory.

They can boo me, but they can get on the train or get run over by it. I want all the noise and all the heat.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin, who is also a podcast co-host and co-owner of 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, has shown that he can perform in multiple roles without affecting his performance on the track. In Gateway, Hamlin became the seventh driver in NASCAR history with multiple wins after his 700th race. Team owner Joe Gibbs marvels at how Hamlin, at 45 and with a new son, manages to balance so many responsibilities.

Denny Hamlin celebrates after taking the checkered flag at Gateway to advance in the NASCAR playoffs.Hamlin’s ultimate goal is the Cup championship, and with this victory, he took another step towards that goal, securing his place in the next round before the September 13 race at Bristol Motor Speedway. After Gateway, Shane van Gisbergen, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry are outside the top 12. After his twelfth-place finish at Gateway, Kyle Larson can secure a spot in the next round by simply starting at Bristol. Bubba Wallace, who finished eighth after leading 73 of 240 laps and winning the second stage, is also in a favorable position. Berry will need a win in Bristol to advance after his playoff results. The Wood Brothers Racing driver was hit by Elliott, sending his No. 21 Ford into the wall on lap 36.

Chase and his team have done a lot for me, and I really doubt that was on purpose. Just the wrong place, the wrong time for us again. Obviously, it’s unfortunate. We’ll just go to Bristol and try to do our best and put ourselves in a position to compete for a win, and that’s really all we can do at this point.

Josh Berry

Elliott apologized for the incident after the race.

I didn’t mean to hit him. I’ve known those guys my whole life, so I hope they know it wasn’t anything intentional. I felt terrible the moment it happened, and I wish I could take it back.

Chase Elliott

Additionally, NASCAR announced the passing of Bill Davis, whose teams won 40 races in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series from 1993 to 2008.