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The recent race has quite shifted the standings, but stars like Denny Hamlin are hopeful that the upcoming race at Bristol could offer a crucial opportunity to secure a spot in the next rounds. Hamlin, an experienced driver, has specific plans for Bristol, particularly after poor performances in the previous two races; 24th in Atlanta and 23rd at Watkins Glen.
Currently, Hamlin is just six points away from advancing to the next round.
In a recent conversation on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin revealed his team's intentions and highlighted their focused mindset heading into the Bristol race. Despite initial fears and pessimism about the potential outcomes, they recognize that a standout performance at Bristol; where Hamlin has previously excelled, could be key to securing their position in the next round.
“We went from thinking we were going to have to win to, ‘Oh, we’ve just got to be ourselves,’ right, and do what we normally do at Bristol. So, that’s why I think the mood switched so quickly between, probably, 15 laps to go, in the Watkins Glen race, to the finish is all. All that happened in between that, I probably gained 13, 14 points. I went from being like, -20 to -6. Like, -6 ain’t nothing. At that point (being -20), like, you’re going to need to really run well, and then have multiple drivers with issues, which is just less likely. Now, we can just go there and run well and get in."-Denny Hamlin said, as quoted by On3.
Hamlin emphasized that while qualifying is crucial, his strategy focuses on consistently running in the top five throughout all stages of the race. He aims to finish in the top five overall, which could potentially earn around 47 points for the day. Ultimately, his goal is to secure a victory at Bristol.
For the 43-year-old driver, it's entirely reasonable to be optimistic about the upcoming race at Bristol. This track has historically been a strong one for him, showcasing his abilities in past seasons. However, this race also comes with immense pressure, as it could potentially mark the end of his NASCAR season and possibly his career.
Hamlin faced a huge setback recently due to a penalty that cost him a considerable number of points, adding to the stress of his situation. NASCAR fans are well aware that Hamlin is one of the greatest drivers never to have won a NASCAR Cup Series title. Despite frequently downplaying the weight of this fact, it's clear he would love to achieve this milestone and finally close a long chapter in his career.
In media discussions, Hamlin has analyzed his current predicament and remains determined, stating that it’s not over until the Bristol race is finished. While fans have mixed feelings about what Bristol might bring, Hamlin has consistently demonstrated his potential at this track and remains hopeful that his skills will shine through once again.
Denny Hamlin is frustrated with some of his colleagues
Experienced NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has recently shared his worries about how some of his colleagues are behaving this season. Hamlin, who is known for his deep understanding of racing, has been increasingly concerned about what he sees as reckless driving and poor decision-making among many drivers.
This season has had its share of controversial moments and aggressive driving, according to Hamlin. He feels that some drivers, in their strong push to win, are not considering the possible consequences of their actions. This has led to several incidents that have disrupted races and raised safety concerns.
Hamlin, who has talked about similar problems before, stresses that drivers need to change how they approach racing. He thinks it's important for drivers to be more careful and strategic to avoid unnecessary conflicts and keep everyone safe on the track.
Hamlin agreed with Martin Truex Jr., saying that driver respect has dropped, especially during those intense green-white-checkered finishes. He explained that drivers are getting more reckless, often trying to squeeze into tight spots, and if that causes a crash, they don’t seem to care.
Hamlin pointed out that there’s a lack of accountability for these actions. He thinks that if someone causes a wreck, there should be some sort of way to address it, but it’s rarely done, especially in the final laps. Hamlin also mentioned that Truex’s frustration and decision to leave are a clear sign of the problems with how these high-stress situations are handled.
NASCAR officials keep saying that safety is their top priority, but recent races have been causing a lot of concern. Even though they are committed to keeping the races safe, the latest events have shown some worrying issues. This has made many people nervous about how safe the sport really is right now.
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