Denny Hamlin has emerged as a central figure in dissecting the chaos that engulfed the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. On Sunday, drivers, teams, and fans witnessed a grueling event marked by an astonishing twelve cautions, stretching for seventy-three laps, and leaving many competitors frustrated and uneasy. Seeking to explain why Texas Motor Speedway became a magnet for so many incidents, Hamlin offered a candid breakdown, pinpointing the unique characteristics of the track itself as the primary cause.
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment about the events on the track.
Hamlin explained, describing how the narrow margins for error routinely lead to contact between cars. He emphasized,
Referencing the incident between Carson Hocevar and Ryan Preece, Hamlin painted a vivid picture of how fragile grip is at this particular point on the track, and how swiftly disaster can unfold.
According to Denny Hamlin, the combination of the Texas Motor Speedway track profile and the aerodynamics of the NextGen car play a significant role in these frequent accidents. He insisted,
Sunday’s race offered proof of his words, as multiple teams found themselves scrambling to adapt to the difficult conditions. One brutal example came on Lap 75, when Hamlin’s own No. 11 car caught fire after being caught up in the mayhem.
Despite the relentless caution flags, Denny Hamlin pushed back against labeling Texas Motor Speedway as a bad track. He acknowledged its difficulties, stating,
Hamlin revealed that teams are constantly forced to pick their battles,
The intensity surrounding the race and Denny Hamlin’s analysis have sparked debate among fans and insiders, with many questioning whether the track should undergo changes. Hamlin argued that just a little more width could fundamentally improve racing at the venue, remarking,
As for what happens next, the troubled Texas Motor Speedway will likely remain under scrutiny, its challenges continuing to test drivers, engineers, and teams in the relentless world of NASCAR.
