Denny Hamlin analyzes defensive struggles in Michigan race after a high-tension moment during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series, when a fierce showdown with Kyle Larson nearly cost him victory at Michigan International Speedway. Despite the chaotic duel and fallout, Hamlin managed to secure his 57th career win, later candidly evaluating his mistakes and defensive strategy on his Monday podcast.
Hamlin’s On-Track Clash With Larson Sparks Friction
On Lap 58, a heated battle for sixth erupted as Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Kyle Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet collided, nearly ending both their bids for the win. The clash resulted in an explosive radio message from Larson to his team.
“Look out the f***ing windshield, Denny, instead of the f***ing mirror,”
—Kyle Larson, Driver. After Hamlin’s car slid toward the wall and snapped sideways, he saved it but dropped to 11th in the running order, reflecting the high stakes and pressure of Cup Series racing.
Denny Hamlin Confronts His Own Defensive Driving Flaws
During the post-race review on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin addressed speculation that his defensive tactics and so-called “mirror driving” triggered the altercation. Co-host Jared pressed Hamlin with the question,
“Were you mirror driving the five [Larson]?”
—Jared, Co-host. Hamlin dismissed the suggestion, providing his own candid self-assessment:
“Actually, it was quite the opposite,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. Expanding on his racing habits, he added,
“I did hear his radio when he was like, ‘Look out your front windshield, not your mirror.’ I’m actually one of the worst defenders in the series because I look out the window too much.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. The admission painted Hamlin as unexpectedly vulnerable in the defensive aspects of the race, contrasting his reputation for calculated aggression.
Hamlin broke down the moments leading up to the incident, citing the restart during Stage 2, when he lost momentum as cars passed him on the inside lane. He recalled,
“I just got passed by two cars that passed me on the bottom. So, at that point, I’m running the mid to high lane of Turns 1 and 2 anyway. The five sees me getting passed, so he’s trying to predict the corner to figure out ‘OK, I wanna pounce on him as well because I can see he’s lost momentum,’”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He admitted,
“Well, I’m not even paying the five any attention because I’m just letting off, these guys are clearing me,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. The moment offered a window into the complexity and rapid decisions required in high-level NASCAR races.
Aerodynamics and Turbulence Compound the Close Call
According to Hamlin, a perfect storm of racing dynamics — specifically, compromised aerodynamics — intensified the risk of a crash. As Larson attempted a pass exiting Turn 2, turbulent air was dumped onto Hamlin’s right rear quarter panel, drastically affecting the car’s handling.
“The five then comes with a major run, and when he gets to my right rear quarter panel and then gets up beside me, he dumps all of this air on my right rear spoiler,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He continued,
“I’ve got bad air now in the front and on the side. It just makes my car go dead straight.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Trying to regain control, Hamlin found himself on the edge:
“I crank a bunch of wheel in it, I’m off the gas and slow down… that’s when you get deadass sideways.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. The threat of wrecking both cars was very real, as Hamlin explained,
“He [Larson] set up the corner so well that it caught me off guard. Put me in a horrible aero position where I nearly took both of us out.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Frustration Lingers As Both Drivers Regain Composure
Despite his strong comeback to win, Hamlin’s frank self-critique offered a stark contrast to Larson’s frustration during and after the race. Speaking with SiriusXMRadio, Larson kept the rivalry sharp:
“Denny did what Denny does… ran us out of room.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver. The incident furthered their contentious history, fueling conversation across the NASCAR community.
In the aftermath, both drivers managed to recover, finishing first and fifth respectively, but the Lap 58 confrontation highlighted just how volatile and unforgiving Michigan’s high-speed battles can be. For Hamlin, the experience reaffirmed the importance of adapting defensive strategies and managing high-stress moments to stay ahead in the championship chase. The episode remains a talking point for contenders, underscoring the fine line between calculated defense and risky missteps on NASCAR’s demanding stage.
