Denny Hamlin endured another round of misfortune at the Coca-Cola 600, as a pit crew error in fueling robbed him of a shot at victory in Charlotte on May 26, 2025. This Denny Hamlin fueling mishap ruins Coca Cola 600 hopes, allowing Ross Chastain to seize the win after an intense battle at the legendary raceway.
Another Mechanical Woe Derails Hamlin’s Night
Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, arrived at the Coca-Cola 600 carrying the weight of recent setbacks. In Kansas, a transaxle failure relegated his No. 11 Toyota to a 36th-place finish, following a previous mechanical fire in Texas. Despite these incidents, Hamlin expressed a sense of resignation before the race, stating,
“The mechanical stuff is something that I can’t control. The last two weeks, we had that.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Rooted in a solid history at this event—including a win in 2022 and a dozen top-10s tied with Kyle Busch—Hamlin was regarded as a top contender. Expectations soared as he prepared to challenge William Byron, with the stage set for a dramatic duel at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Pit Crew Error Steals the Spotlight
Recently, Hamlin’s pit crew had been celebrated for their rapid, error-free stops, most notably their 8.3-second service that secured him the lead in Darlington. But this strength faltered at Charlotte when it mattered most. Hamlin started the race from 20th position, climbing to the top 10 by the end of Stage 1. By lap 120, he had closed in on Byron, who dominated the opening stages. The pair exchanged the lead 12 times, delivering a high-stakes showdown as they swapped the first and second positions for much of the race. Then, with just 52 laps to go, disaster struck.
During a crucial pit stop, the No. 11 crew attempted to refuel Hamlin’s car. However, the fuel cannister did not deliver as intended—much of the fuel spilled, and insufficient fuel entered the car. This forced Hamlin to pit again for more fuel, a setback from which he could not recover while competitors like Byron stayed out. Afterwards, Hamlin described what happened in frank terms:
“No fuel came out of the can. So, not sure. It was plugged in, I saw that a guy plugged it in, but there was no fuel in the can. There was nothing going into the car.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Ultimately, Hamlin slid down the order to finish 16th. Ross Chastain, who had been watching the drama unfold, drove to victory while Hamlin could only watch as his hopes faded with the checkered flag.
Hamlin Grapples with Frustration and Reflection
Tyler Reddick, a driver for Hamlin’s 23XI Racing operation, also ran well in the top five, shadowing Byron for much of the contest before falling back late. Reflecting on what might have been, Hamlin candidly admitted that a timely caution could have reset the race in his favor:
“It certainly would have helped, we would have all come back in. At least re-racked there.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Despite his disappointment, Hamlin tried to put the evening in perspective, noting the competitive nature at the front:
“But I just wanted to see that last run kind of play out. It was still a great finish, great race anyway. It was fun battling up front, nobody could lead ’cause they were getting too loose. My car was better in second, fast enough to lead. But once I led, it was too loose. We were just back and forth.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
As Hamlin watched Ross Chastain circle the track in celebration, the sense of loss was apparent, especially given Hamlin’s prediction of trouble earlier in the week.
A Pattern of Pit Road Worries
The issues Hamlin faced at Charlotte were not isolated. He had struggled with mechanical failures and pit crew problems in Texas and Kansas, and his qualifying position for Charlotte left him with a challenging pit stall. During the group qualifying sessions, Hamlin posted the fourth-fastest time in his group but still started in a disadvantaged 20th spot. This placement earned him a small, hard-to-access pit box—something that had caused problems the previous season as well.
Before the race, Hamlin anticipated difficulties on pit road:
“I think the car has good long run speed. Gotta work on the short runs. I just don’t quite have it there. Qualifying was not good. With these pit stalls at Charlotte, they’re so small. It’s like the size of Martinsville. Mile and a half track, we have tiny, tiny pit stalls. So we’re going to have a horrible pit selection, and last year that was our Achilles heel. Just getting boxed in every single stop. Just going to have to overcome it. Hopefully, the guys around us have some bad days.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
His forewarning proved prophetic, as pit road indeed became the defining factor stopping Hamlin’s charge at Charlotte. In 2024, he’d already suffered from pit road run-ins, including a notable altercation with Chris Buescher, making the 2025 fueling mishap another frustrating chapter in this recurring narrative.
What Comes Next for Denny Hamlin?
The pit stop issue that eliminated Hamlin’s chances in the Coca-Cola 600 raises ongoing questions for both driver and team. Is it a streak of poor fortune, or is it evidence of underlying weaknesses in the pit crew’s performance at critical moments? While Hamlin showed strong pace and the ability to contend with front-runners like William Byron and Tyler Reddick, his night again ended without the result his efforts had warranted.
For Hamlin, these setbacks may fuel determination as the NASCAR Cup Series continues through the season. His established strength at major events and close battles with top rivals suggest that a return to victory lane is still within reach—so long as his team can resolve its pit stop inconsistencies.
