Denny Hamlin Dominates at Gateway and Advances in NASCAR Playoffs
NASCAR star driver Denny Hamlin showcased his focus and skill by securing a commanding victory at the World Wide Technology Raceway, ensuring his advancement in the Cup Series playoffs. This triumph comes after a challenging week, marked by family issues and a legal setback for his 23XI Racing team.
Hamlin, who started from the pole position and led a total of 75 laps, demonstrated once again his ability to separate personal concerns and focus on the competition. “I just have to keep improving,” Hamlin declared after his fifth victory of the season.
With this 59th career victory, Hamlin secures a spot in the second round of the playoffs. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, also stood out by finishing in second place, followed by Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano, thus completing a top 5 dominated by playoff drivers.
Toyota’s No. 11 team called Hamlin to the pits for his final stop, and once he exited, he took the lead on the restart, overtaking Brad Keselowski. This victory also marked Toyota’s 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series.
Hamlin celebrated his victory with a “burnout” on the main straight, which drew boos from the crowd, something the driver enjoyed. “They can boo me, but they can get on the train or get run over,” he stated.
Hamlin, who is also a podcast co-host and co-owner of 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, has proven to be a multifaceted competitor. At 45 years old and in his 20th season in the Cup Series, Hamlin continues to impress, and at Gateway, he achieved his second victory after his 700th start.
Joe Gibbs, team owner, praised Hamlin’s ability to handle multiple responsibilities. “The more he does, the better he gets. He has a real determination to succeed.”
Hamlin’s ultimate goal is to conquer his first Cup championship, and this victory brings him closer to that goal. The next race, which will take place on September 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway, will define the drivers who will advance to the next round.
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 finish at Gateway, could secure his place in the next round just by participating in Bristol. Bubba Wallace, who finished in eighth place, is also in a favorable position.
Josh Berry will need a win at Bristol to advance, after two consecutive last-place finishes in the playoffs. Berry was impacted by Chase Elliott, which caused his No. 21 Ford to hit the wall on lap 36. Elliott apologized for the incident, stating it was unintentional.Caption: Denny Hamlin celebrates after taking the checkered flag at Gateway to advance in the NASCAR playoffs.
The world of motorsports also mourned the loss of Bill Davis, whose teams achieved 40 victories in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series between 1993 and 2008.
