Denny Hamlin praised his crew chief Chris Gayle’s daring call at the Nashville Superspeedway, even after a risky strategy cost them a shot at victory in Hamlin’s 700th NASCAR Cup Series race. The move, which was a focal point in the contest’s final stage, showcased Hamlin’s ongoing faith in his team’s aggressive tactics as they chase the elusive championship.
Risky Strategic Move Shifts Dynamics at Nashville Superspeedway
The Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville saw Hamlin and the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing crew in a tightly contested battle, especially with Ryan Blaney and his No. 12 Ford setting a fierce pace. After claiming Stage 1 and running closely with Blaney, Hamlin’s Toyota started losing grip on an extended green flag run, forcing the team into a difficult decision.
Knowing that a conventional pit strategy would likely limit them to a second or third-place finish, Chris Gayle and Hamlin decided to gamble by staying out longer, counting on a late caution. This bold move was their attempt to use fresher tires to jump ahead of competitors if luck favored them.
Unfortunately, the yellow flag they hoped for never came, and the aggressive maneuver resulted in a drop to third. Hamlin addressed the rationale for their strategy, stating,
“It was a good risk-reward for us. It was Chris Gayle going for an opportunity to win the race and willing to give up second place, which we did,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He also emphasized,
“I thought it was a good gamble to try to switch something up on the 12 because at that point, I thought he was a little stronger.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Standing by Crew Chief Chris Gayle’s Judgement
Despite the result not reflecting their high hopes, Hamlin backed Gayle’s call, stressing that taking chances is often necessary in NASCAR’s fiercely competitive field. He reflected on their dynamic, especially after an offseason change at Joe Gibbs Racing where Chris Gabehart moved out of the pit box, leaving Gayle to step up as crew chief.
Early adjustments weren’t easy for Hamlin, who recalled,
“There was a period there where I certainly was not happy with Joe Gibbs Racing or decisions that they make in the offseason,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. Nonetheless, he added,
“I gotta trust that they got the bigger picture in mind.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Since then, Gayle’s style and willingness to embed himself in the No. 11 team’s culture have quickly earned Hamlin’s trust. This new partnership already yielded success earlier in the season with a win at Martinsville, showing that bold strategy can pay dividends.
Though finishing third in Nashville was not the fairy-tale result for Hamlin’s milestone start, his open support for Gayle’s risk-taking reflects a growing chemistry. As the season progresses, this willingness to commit to aggressive calls may be the catalyst that propels Hamlin and his team closer to capturing that long-sought NASCAR Cup Series championship.
