Denny Hamlin, a leading figure in NASCAR, has suffered a significant Denny Hamlin Chicago race setback as he, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott are all forced to begin the Chicago event from the rear of the field. The trio, known for their front-running performances, experienced technical issues and mishaps during practice and qualifying that have reshaped the starting lineup for Sunday’s race.
Major Names Relegated After Troubles in Practice and Qualifying
No prominent driver will start at the front in Chicago, with Denny Hamlin joining Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott at the back of the grid. Fans had anticipated Hamlin would secure at least a top-10 starting spot, based on his previous qualifying results at the venue. However, misfortune struck as Hamlin’s session with Group 1 ended before it properly began. His No. 11 JGR Toyota was barely out of the pit lane when smoke billowed from beneath the hood. A critical component failed in the engine, spilling oil and causing Hamlin to spin, but he managed to avoid the barriers. Despite avoiding a crash, the internal problem ended his session prematurely, leaving him with no completed flying laps.
This episode adds to Hamlin’s growing list of mechanical setbacks this season. He has already been taken out of races in Texas and Kansas due to similar issues, with his car even catching fire at Texas. The Chicago circuit itself has also presented challenges for Hamlin in previous years. In 2023, he started from pole but was involved in a crash just two laps in; he recovered to finish 11th, but last year’s return visit saw him languish to 30th place due to rain-soaked conditions. Entering this weekend’s race with zero practice completed because of another technical failure, Hamlin now faces an uphill battle starting at the rear.
Chase Elliott, another member of NASCAR’s elite, ran into problems in his Group 2 practice outing. Navigating the short straight between Turns 3 and 4, he clipped the outer wall in a heavy braking area just after the backstretch. The resulting impact wrecked the left side of his No. 9 HMS Chevy, ruling him out of the qualifying session.
Kyle Larson, who had been targeting a healthy start spot, managed to post the 14th-fastest qualifying time. Nevertheless, he collected damage during the run. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports crew elected to fix the car, meaning they would forfeit their qualifying slot and join Hamlin and Elliott at the back.
With the streets of Chicago set to provide no easy passing opportunities, Hamlin, Larson, and Elliott, all seen as championship contenders, now face a tough challenge as they look to work their way back through the field.
All Four Hendrick Motorsports Drivers Endure Setbacks
The misfortunes extended beyond three drivers, engulfing the entire Hendrick Motorsports team on Saturday. While Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson already had their hopes dashed, William Byron and Alex Bowman also ran into trouble in practice and qualifying, ensuring that all four Hendrick entries will start from the rear.
William Byron, driving in Group 1, initially looked unstoppable, setting a blazing lap of 1:31.008—comfortably faster than Shane van Gisbergen. His speed set him apart until less than two minutes remained in the session. At that point, Byron lost grip in Turn 10, his No. 24 Chevy striking the outer wall. The crash snapped his left-rear toe link and caused extensive damage to the side of his car, resulting in a forced start from the back on race day.
Alex Bowman, the fourth member of the Hendrick lineup, suffered a comparable fate during Group 2. He made contact with the wall, damaging his car’s suspension. Despite laying down the 11th-fastest lap, which would have favored his pit selection, the team‘s decision to repair substantial damage means Bowman, too, relinquishes his qualifying position for a better-prepared machine.
With all four representatives of the Hendrick Motorsports “brigade” lining up at the back, the revered team faces a crisis moment. The difficulty of making up ground in a 75-lap street fight on Chicago’s unforgiving surface looms large for Byron, Bowman, Elliott, and Larson, as they try to recover from a chaotic weekend.
Race Day Challenges Await in Chicago
NASCAR’s celebrated stars—including Hamlin, Larson, Elliott, Byron, and Bowman—now face the monumental task of climbing from the rear to compete for top honors. The combination of mechanical failures, practice incidents, and qualifying crashes has thrown the expected order into disarray, setting the stage for a race where proven contenders must rely on skill, determination, and strategy to overcome adversity.
The outcome promises to shake up the championship landscape, as leading drivers are forced into recovery mode right from the start. All eyes will be on the trio of Hamlin, Larson, and Elliott—as well as the rest of the Hendrick team—to see if they can surmount the Denny Hamlin Chicago race setback and fight their way back to the front on one of NASCAR’s most challenging street circuits.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. After starting his full-time Cup Series career in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved remarkable success. He has won 51 Cup Series races and secured three victories at the Daytona 500 in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Throughout his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Why did NASCAR penalize Denny Hamlin?
A. The No. 11 team and driver Denny Hamlin received a penalty for breaking NASCAR’s engine inspection rules.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 team was given an L2-level penalty, as announced by NASCAR on Thursday.
This penalty was due to violations of specific engine inspection guidelines mentioned in Sections 14.7.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. He has made a large fortune of $65 million through his career earnings, endorsements, team ownership, and investments in real estate.
Hamlin’s wealth comes from several sources. He earns big money from NASCAR race winnings and contracts. He also has long-time sponsorship deals with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin lose 75 points for engine violation?
A. NASCAR penalized Denny Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs 75 regular-season points and 10 playoff points. This L2 penalty was for an engine seal violation after Hamlin’s win at Bristol in the spring, NASCAR stated on Thursday.
