Denny Hamlin experienced a dramatic setback during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race practice when his Toyota Camry suffered a catastrophic engine failure, spilling oil on the track and forcing a lengthy delay. The Denny Hamlin Chicago engine failure has raised concerns for the Joe Gibbs Racing team, especially with Sunday’s race fast approaching and momentum on the line.
Hamlin’s Engine Fails Early in Practice
Not even half a lap into the Chicago Street Race practice, Denny Hamlin encountered trouble as his engine failed spectacularly. He managed only to reach Turn 4 before his car lost power and oil spilled across the asphalt, interrupting the session and triggering tough discussions with Joe Gibbs and the rest of his competition team. Hamlin’s Toyota hadn’t even reached full speed, underscoring the suddenness of the breakdown.
Following the incident, Hamlin’s frustration was evident as he addressed TNT Sports’ Alan Cavana. He shared his confusion and disappointment, saying,
“Yeah, don’t know. I just, uh, I hadn’t even hit the gas yet,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He continued,
“Came off Turn 4, just started accelerating and blew the whole bottom out.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Questions Surround the Cause and Team Preparedness
The cause of the engine issue remains unresolved, although attention now turns to whether there was a fault in pre-race preparation. At this stage, Hamlin wasn’t assigning blame, but his remarks highlighted the driver’s desire for reliability. As he put it,
“I just, uh, a lot of things you know, we want to be in control as drivers,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver. He emphasized the importance of being able to compete without technical setbacks, noting,
“We want to be in control of our result. You don’t want to have processes or mechanicals stop you from that. And obviously this is a race track that is important to have reps and we spend hours upon hours prior, practicing and getting ready and all that stuff, and couldn’t even make a pace lap before you blew up.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver.
For Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing, this breakdown has immediate consequences. Oil on the track delayed the ongoing session, disrupting not only their preparation but also affecting other drivers and teams at the Chicago venue.
A Crucial Weekend at a Challenging Track
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, this setback could not have come at a worse time for Hamlin, who has faced pressure to maintain momentum late in the season. This emotional blow comes on the heels of recent success—three top-five finishes in four starts, including a win. However, last week’s crash resulting in a P31 did-not-finish (DNF) at Atlanta remains fresh, making it more important than ever for Hamlin and the team to find stability.
Recent wins have positioned Hamlin to finish the regular season strong, particularly after his victory in Michigan. Yet back-to-back races in unfamiliar settings, combined with technical failures like the one in Chicago, threaten to disrupt the 11 team’s rhythm when it matters most. Even one DNF can create a ripple effect, and teams often find it tough to shake poor luck late in the season.
Can Hamlin and the Team Recover in Time?
This latest Denny Hamlin Chicago engine failure highlights the unpredictable nature of racing, where mechanical trouble can set the tone for an entire weekend. The emotional weight of such setbacks lingers, putting extra stress on drivers, engineers, and the whole Joe Gibbs Racing operation. Sunday’s performance at the Chicago Street Race will show if Hamlin can overcome this adversity and reestablish his championship ambitions. With everything on the line, both fans and competitors are watching to see if this costly misfortune can be turned into a powerful comeback.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin began racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he has achieved a remarkable career by winning 51 Cup Series races. Hamlin also won the Daytona 500 three times, in 2016, 2019, and 2020, and has made millions over his career.
Q. Why did NASCAR penalize Denny Hamlin?
A. Denny Hamlin’s team got a penalty for breaking NASCAR’s engine inspection rules. The No. 11 team from Joe Gibbs Racing and driver Denny Hamlin received an L2-level penalty. NASCAR announced this penalty on Thursday after finding a violation of Sections 14.7.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. His career has led to a massive $65 million fortune through earnings, endorsements, team ownership, and real estate deals. The keys to Hamlin’s wealth include: ✔ Huge NASCAR earnings from race prizes and contracts. ✔ Ongoing sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin lose 75 points for engine violation?
A. NASCAR announced on Thursday that Denny Hamlin and car owner Joe Gibbs lost 75 regular-season points and 10 playoff points. This L2 penalty was due to an engine seal violation after Hamlin’s win at Bristol in the spring.
