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Denny Hamlin Faces Setback Ahead of Martinsville Race
In a challenging turn of events, Denny Hamlin, after initially showcasing impressive speed during practice, encountered a significant setback. The veteran driver lost control of his car as he entered Turn 3 at a high speed, resulting in a spin and a collision with the outside wall.
Over the radio, the frustration was palpable as Hamlin exclaimed, “Stuck throttle! F****** stuck throttle!” The incident caused extensive damage to the rear of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Despite the damage, Hamlin managed to navigate the damaged vehicle back to the garage, where he exited the car and expressed his frustration by slamming his helmet onto the roof.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry
Photo by: Bozi Tatarevic
The root cause of the mishap appears to be a piece of rubber that became lodged in the throttle body. Hamlin’s recent performance has left him in a precarious position, entering Martinsville 18 points shy of the playoff cut-line after narrowly missing a victory at Homestead. While he might have been able to salvage his chances through strategic stage points, that option has likely been eliminated following this incident. To secure his place in the playoffs, he will likely need a victory unless unexpected outcomes arise with the Hendrick Motorsports drivers ahead of him.
Hamlin’s misfortune means he will not participate in qualifying, starting at the rear of the field—a daunting challenge at Martinsville, known for its difficulty in overtaking. Cars that start from the back often find themselves lapped quickly, placing Hamlin in a significant disadvantage for the upcoming race. Following the accident, his team assessed the car and decided to carry out repairs, utilizing equipment from the Joe Gibbs Racing hauler.
This episode adds to Hamlin’s history of close calls, as he has been the first driver to miss the final four in both 2022 and 2023. Notably, he holds the record as the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history without a championship, a distinction that has become a point of contention for him amid various challenges in his playoff performance this year.
As the series approaches the decisive race at Phoenix, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick have already secured their spots for the championship fight. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell sits at +29 points and William Byron at +7 points above the cut-line.
Source
www.motorsport.com