Denny Hamlin demonstrated his versatility by conquering victory at Michigan International Speedway, adding his third victory of the season and the number 57 of his career in the NASCAR Cup Series. This triumph comes at a crucial moment, where Hamlin balances his role as a driver, future father, and co-owner of a racing team facing a lawsuit against NASCAR. The toolbox is full. There are all kinds of things happening. Hamlin, driving the number 11 Toyota, overtook William Byron on lap 197 of 200, securing the victory with a considerable lead over Chris Buescher. Ty Gibbs finished third, matching his best result of the season, followed by Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson. The 44-year-old driver, Hamlin, was prepared to abandon the race and reunite with his fiancée, Jordan Fish, who was expecting the birth of their third child. Hamlin even considered missing next week’s race in Mexico City if necessary to witness the birth. In addition to his responsibilities as a driver and future father, Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, a team currently involved in a lawsuit against NASCAR. Hamlin, who races for Joe Gibbs Racing, a team that hadn’t won in Michigan for a decade, expressed his satisfaction with the victory.
With this victory, Hamlin becomes Joe Gibbs Racing’s most successful driver, surpassing Kyle Busch’s 56 wins, and the tenth driver in NASCAR history to win after his 700th start.I think it’s the most underrated track we’re going to.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin’s team provided him with enough fuel to secure the victory, while several drivers, including Byron, ran out of gas near the end of the race.It feels good because I’m going to hate it when I’m not at the level I am now. I’ll certainly retire very quickly after that.
Denny Hamlin
It really hurts. We just burned more (fuel) and couldn’t do much about it.
William Byron
On the other hand, Hamlin was able to celebrate his victory, although his celebration was interrupted.
Chase Briscoe, who started from the pole position, led the race until Byron overtook him on lap 12. Buescher took the lead on lap 36 and won the first stage of the season. Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott traded the lead before a crash involving Alex Bowman, which brought out a red flag on lap 67. Byron regained the lead after a restart on lap 78 and won the second stage. Carson Hocevar led the race on lap 152, but was informed that he did not have enough fuel to finish. A flat tire forced him to pit with 18 laps remaining. Hocevar finished in 29th place, a week after achieving his best result in Nashville, where he generated controversy for an aggressive maneuver. Bowman suffered a setback when he hit a wall with the front of his number 48 Chevrolet in a multiple-car accident. That hurt a lot. That was probably the highest on the list of hits I’ve taken. Bowman, who races for Hendrick Motorsports, arrived in Michigan in 12th place in the standings and will drop in the overall standings. He has finished 27th or worse in seven of his last nine races. The current race champion, Tyler Reddick, qualified in 12th place, but started last due to unapproved adjustments and managed to come back to finish in 13th place. The next NASCAR race will be in Mexico City, marking the first international points race in modern history on June 15.
