Madison, Illinois – Denny Hamlin once again demonstrated his focus and skill on the track, securing a crucial victory at World Wide Technology Raceway. This triumph not only highlights his prowess, but also propels him in the Cup Series playoffs.
Hamlin, known for his ability to remain calm under pressure, overcame the personal and professional challenges of the week, including his father’s illness and a legal defeat for his 23XI Racing team. From the privileged position, he led 75 of the 240 laps, evidencing an almost perfect weekend.
I just try hard.
Denny Hamlin
With this victory, the 59th of his career, Hamlin advances to the second round of the playoffs, joining his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe. Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano rounded out the top five, demonstrating the competitiveness of the drivers in the playoffs.
The No. 11 team’s strategy brought Hamlin to the pits for his final stop, and once he rejoined the race, he took the lead on the restart. The Virginia driver secured the victory, marking Toyota’s 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series.
Hamlin’s celebration, with a “burnout” on the main straight, sparked mixed reactions among the public. However, the driver was defiant, embracing his role as the “villain” on the track.
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 HamlinHamlin, in addition to his successful NASCAR career, is also co-owner of the 23XI Racing team alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan, and co-host of a podcast. Despite his multiple roles, his performance on the track has not been affected, solidifying his position in the sport.
The team owner, Joe Gibbs, praised Hamlin’s ability to handle multiple responsibilities, highlighting his drive for success. Hamlin, who will turn 45 in November and recently welcomed his third child, is seeking his first Cup championship.In the upcoming race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the competition will intensify, as the race will define who will advance to the next round of playoffs, reducing the group from 16 to 12 drivers.
After the race at Gateway, Shane van Gisbergen, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry are outside the top twelve. Kyle Larson, after his 12th place at Gateway, has the opportunity to secure his place in the next round just by participating in Bristol. Bubba Wallace, who led 73 laps and won the second stage, is also in a favorable position.
Josh Berry will need to seek victory in Bristol to advance, after two disappointing results in the first playoff races. An incident with Chase Elliott on the track affected his performance, but Berry remains hopeful of achieving a victory in Bristol.
Elliott, after the incident, expressed his apologies to Berry, highlighting that it was not intentional.
In addition to the exciting competition on the track, NASCAR mourned the passing of Bill Davis, a prominent team owner who left a significant mark on the sport.
