Denny Hamlin experienced significant pit crew struggles during the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, where adjustments to the No. 11 team’s lineup played a key role. Forced changes following suspensions led to pivotal mistakes on pit road, yet Hamlin offered unreserved support to his team after the disappointing outcome.
Adjustments on the No. 11 Team Following Crew Suspensions
For the Kansas race, Hamlin’s No. 11 crew operated with substitute members, as both Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon served a two-race suspension due to a lost wheel incident at the Bristol Night Race earlier this month. The fill-in crew faced a demanding challenge, with unfamiliarity impacting their performance at critical moments throughout the event.
The race featured mixed results for Hamlin’s team, culminating in a costly issue involving the temporary jackman during the final pit stop. Despite entering pit lane as the leader, Hamlin exited in sixth position, drastically altering his shot at the win. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the adversity his crew faced, publicly expressing his support.
“I’m gonna give props to my pit crew,”
Hamlin said on Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast. ” … These guys are filling in, and they got a tough task. They hadn’t been in this position all year, maybe once or twice. I get it, the last pit stop was the one that is focused on. We did have one earlier, we came in first and come out fifth, sixth. I had driven my car the first run, I come in, I pit, we lose five spots, and I immediately say, ‘We’re all good. I’m gonna get this right back, don’t worry.’” — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin highlighted how the pit crew’s cohesion is developed through continuous collaboration. He described the process as choreography, emphasizing how every member, from the jackman to the tire carrier, relies on one another’s timing and movements to function as a seamless team during pit stops.
“I just knew what I had, but when it happens with a few laps to go, there’s just not much you’re gonna be able to do. It’s not like I just got a different pit crew, we put parts of this team together, part of my other team with them, like, pit crew members — their footwork matters. They’re dancing together. The jackman and the tire carrier and the changer and the carrier, when they run around the car, they get used to where all the other people step. It’s all choreographed.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Late Race Incident Derails Hamlin’s Win Aspirations
Hamlin was positioned for his sixth victory this season before the final caution period. In the closing laps, he rebounded to battle Bubba Wallace for the lead on the last lap of overtime. However, during a decisive move in Turn 3, the two drivers made contact, sending Wallace into the wall and opening the door for Chase Elliott to surge past and claim the victory. This left Hamlin out of contention for the win and with lingering disappointment over the lost opportunity.
The fallout affected the morale of the substitute pit crew, especially the jackman whose error weighed heavily on him post-race. Hamlin expressed empathy, recognizing the emotional toll mistakes can exact on crew members eager to prove themselves under pressure.
“The guy’s head was slumped. You don’t think he felt it?”
Hamlin said.
“Do you know how rewarding it would have been to win that race for me and make up for that? Like, I think everyone sometimes can get guilty of seeing it through their lens and saying, ‘Ah, you did me wrong.’ No, maybe think about my motivations.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin admitted his desire to redeem the pit crew was a powerful incentive. Reflecting on what might have been, he underlined his drive to secure the win despite the setback, emphasizing how a victory would have provided validation for the stand-in team members.
“There’s nothing I wanted more than to win that race after those issues, and then go to Victory Lane, go to the jackman and say, ‘I got you.’ That would have been awesome, but it didn’t happen.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Looking Ahead After a Challenging Kansas Outing
The Kansas Speedway event underscores the vital importance of pit crew unity and experience, as well as the challenges teams face in adapting to sudden lineup changes. Despite the disappointment, Hamlin’s readiness to defend his pit crew demonstrates the strong bonds within racing teams and the human elements often overlooked in high-stakes competition. As the No. 11 team regroups, future performances will reveal whether these hard-fought lessons lead to renewed momentum in the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series season.
