Denny Hamlin’s Darlington playoff setback has sent a wave of disbelief through the NASCAR community, after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver suffered a dramatic fall from the race lead on September 20, 2024 at Darlington Raceway. The playoff opening race, long considered Hamlin’s stronghold, quickly spiraled into disappointment following a costly pit road error and ensuing chaos for the No. 11 Toyota team.
Practice Troubles, Then a Promising Start
Hamlin, a veteran of NASCAR and the winningest active driver at Darlington, entered the weekend as a favorite. His track record at the egg-shaped South Carolina oval was impressive, with 19 top ten finishes, 14 top fives, and five wins in 26 starts, including a recent victory just five months earlier in April 2025. Despite these credentials, Hamlin’s performance in the pre-race practice left much to be desired, as his car was plagued by handling issues.
Crew chief Chris Gayle worked relentlessly to adjust the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, searching for the ideal balance. Their efforts paid off when Hamlin secured the pole position during Saturday’s qualifying with a blistering 28.694-second lap at 171.381 mph, giving him a significant edge to start the race.
Hamlin Takes an Early Lead Before Disaster Strikes
The opening laps saw Hamlin controlling the field, battling predominantly with his teammate Chase Briscoe for the top spot. The two swapped the lead, demonstrating dominance on the front row. Tensions began mounting on lap 152, when Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet spun in Turns 3 and 4, prompting a caution. As the field headed to pit road, the moment that changed Hamlin’s race unfolded.
An unexpected error unfolded in the No. 11 pit box. The pit crew, usually regarded as among the most efficient in the Cup Series, suffered a breakdown in communication and execution during the high-pressure stop. As Hamlin’s crew faltered and scrambled for composure, the precious seconds lost proved costly. According to Jeff Gluck,
“Denny Hamlin is now P23. He lost 19 SPOTS on pit road.”
— Jeff Gluck, Reporter
This dramatic drop left Hamlin to restart deep in the field, far from the lead he had controlled minutes prior, and dramatically altered the trajectory of his race at one of the most pivotal moments of the Cup Series playoffs.
A Blow That Resonates: NASCAR Community’s Reaction
The heartbreak for Hamlin was palpable across social media and the broader NASCAR community. Fans, having witnessed his repeated misfortunes during playoff runs over his 19-year career, voiced frustration mixed with resignation that yet another Darlington campaign unraveled on pit road—an area that should have been an advantage for Hamlin and his team.
One observer summarized the long-standing narrative by stating,
“I’ve said for almost 20 years… pit road is the bane of Hamlin’s career.”
— Unattributed Fan
Frustrations were compounded as an array of fans pinpointed the pit road calamity as eerily similar to previous Hamlin setbacks at critical junctures of the season. Some drew parallels to other infamous pit stop mishaps, including Alex Bowman’s extended ordeal earlier in the race due to equipment failure. For Hamlin, whose focus was already divided by ongoing legal disputes involving his 23XI Racing team and the NASCAR executive body, the added stress was evident to fans watching closely.
The domino effect from Carson Hocevar’s initial spin—coupled with Christopher Bell’s involvement as Hocevar exited his pit stall—created further confusion and limited attention on Hamlin’s recovery efforts. A fan lamented how thoroughly Hamlin’s pit stop misfortune overshadowed other on-track incidents, remarking,
“Hamlin had such a bad pitstop that TV didn’t even show how Hocevar ended up backwards in his pit stall.”
— Unattributed Fan
Longstanding Frustrations for Denny Hamlin
The outcome at Darlington was especially painful given Hamlin’s previous successes at the track and his status as a perennial championship threat. While “The Lady in Black” has often favored him, the playoffs have consistently delivered heartbreak, perpetuating what many describe as a lingering ‘curse’ during NASCAR’s most critical stretch.
Despite preparing for every conceivable scenario and striving to stay focused amid off-track distractions—especially the high-profile NASCAR lawsuit linked to his 23XI Racing ownership interests—Hamlin’s race was ultimately undone by the kind of pit road miscue that has haunted him throughout his career. As he himself optimistically noted in the run-up to the race,
“We always plan for the end of the race, and we figure out how to make it work at the very beginning.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
However, even the most meticulous planning could not overcome the unpredictable adversity that struck under the playoff lights at Darlington. With the Cup playoffs only just underway, time will tell whether Hamlin and the Joe Gibbs Racing team can rebound from this early setback or if the sting from Darlington will carry through the remaining rounds.
Potential Impact on the NASCAR Playoff Chase
The implications of the Denny Hamlin Darlington playoff setback are significant for the 2025 Cup Series playoffs. A leading contender losing massive track position at a moment’s notice sent a reminder to all teams about the unforgiving nature of pit stops under pressure. For Hamlin, recovering from 23rd position in the midst of championship-level competition presents a daunting challenge.
The NASCAR community, while shaken, remains attentive to how Hamlin and rivals such as Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Carson Hocevar will navigate the coming races. With emotions running high and the playoff field intensely competitive, every misstep is magnified. Hamlin’s ability to regroup alongside crew chief Chris Gayle and a seasoned pit crew may determine whether he remains a fixture in the championship chase or is beset by playoff struggles once again.
NASCAR fans and analysts alike now turn their attention to the next rounds, eager to see if Hamlin can overcome yet another painful playoff chapter, or if Darlington marks a turning point in the 2025 season narrative.
