Denny Hamlin analyzes Darlington playoff opener as the NASCAR Playoff field saw mixed results last weekend, with only a handful of drivers finding success while many struggled on the challenging track. The outcome placed Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, and Bubba Wallace ahead in the standings, shaping the playoff landscape heading into the next races.
Strong Performances Solidify Early Playoff Contenders
In the opening round at Darlington, only four playoff drivers managed to secure positions in the top 10—Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Denny Hamlin himself. This result puts them in a favorable position to advance, provided they avoid major setbacks in the upcoming weeks. The majority of the playoff competitors faced difficulties, unable to break through the adversity the track presented.
During his recent appearance on Actions Detrimental, Hamlin gave his thoughts on those who found success and others who fell short at Darlington. His detailed analysis included candid assessments of team and driver performances, particularly the challenging day for Hendrick Motorsports.
Hamlin Dissects Hendrick Motorsports’ Struggles
The outcome for Hendrick drivers did not reflect their performance potential, according to Hamlin. He pointed out that social media and fans may be overreacting to the team’s tough finishes, suggesting their actual speed was better than positions show. Issues during the race, such as unexpected cautions and possible damage, derailed their races.
“The Hendrick guys, obviously, the result was bad,”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
Chase Elliott’s strategy backfired due to an untimely yellow flag, which cost him a potential top-tier finish. William Byron failed to find pace, and Alex Bowman’s performance was questionable, with Hamlin suggesting that circumstances possibly altered, but did not wholly determine, Bowman’s final position.
“Byron wasn’t good. And then the 48, I don’t know. … So, I don’t know. Surely it altered the result, surely it changed his result but I just don’t know if the 48 was going to be that good anyway.”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
Opening Lap Mistake Ends Josh Berry’s Day Early
Josh Berry’s race was essentially over before it began, as his car bottomed out at the very first lap, rendering him out of contention after a lengthy repair. The accident left Berry 128 laps down before he could return to the track. Hamlin had sympathy for the rookie, emphasizing how tough it is to save a car in that situation.
“In Josh Berry’s defense, it’s very hard to control a car that bottoms out the way his bottomed out, and you could hear it,”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
“Like, it hit hard, and he completely lost control of it. Yeah, it’s going to be really hard to save a car that bottoms out as bad as his did.”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
23XI Racing Shines With Reddick and Wallace
Hamlin was quick to highlight the strong showing from 23XI Racing, the team for which he is a co-owner. Both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace demonstrated that they are well-prepared for the intensity of the Playoffs, with forward momentum and confidence coming out of Darlington.
“Yeah, 23XI had a really good day. You know, Bubba, I thought in the first stage was super strong,”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
“He passed us and was kinda catching the 19 before he pitted.”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
Reddick came close to capturing victory, being one of the fastest cars late in the event. However, the notorious challenge of dirty air on the Darlington circuit prevented him from overtaking Martin Truex Jr. for the win.
“Reddick got back on the horse with speed,”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
“I thought he was going to pass the 19. I thought he was leaps and bounds faster than he was at the end of the race. Obviously, the dirty air and whatnot, he wasn’t going to get around him.”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
Other Notable Drivers and Their Challenges
Ross Chastain also earned recognition for a strong overall showing in the race. However, a misstep during the last pit stop—his team failed to get enough fuel in the car—forced Chastain into fuel-saving mode, costing him positions despite having speed earlier on.
Darlington’s Impact on the Playoff Picture
The race at Darlington has shaken up expectations, causing some favorites to reassess their strategies moving into the next round. With the NASCAR Playoffs now shifting to Gateway, the pressure mounts for those drivers on the bubble, who risk a must-win scenario at Bristol if results do not improve.
As contenders like Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Bubba Wallace look to capitalize on their strong starts, others must regroup quickly to keep their championship hopes alive in this intense postseason.
