The Kansas playoff race delivered dramatic twists, with Zane Smith’s shocking flip shifting the entire contest and drawing intense reactions, including Denny Hamlin’s Kansas race reaction on his podcast days later. The incident, which occurred late in the event, carried major implications for the NASCAR playoffs, affecting leaders like Hamlin and deciding the race outcome at Kansas Speedway.
Denny Hamlin Reflects on Kansas Race Chaos and Smith’s Crash
During the Kansas playoff round, Zane Smith put on a strong performance, racing within the top-15 and at times pushing into the top-10. However, his bid was cut short after contact with John Hunter Nemechek, which sent Smith’s No. 38 car into the outside wall before flipping it onto its side as it skidded along the SAFER barrier. Such incidents are rare in NASCAR, adding to the surprise throughout the garage and among fans.
Denny Hamlin admitted that the wreck initially escaped his notice during the chaos on track. Later, on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin revisited the crash for a detailed breakdown after reviewing race footage and understanding how the flip happened. Smith’s accident involved the right front tire catching the bottom of the SAFER barrier, a scenario Hamlin compared to prior events involving Martin Truex Jr. at Richmond and Kasey Kahne’s incident in a Braun Racing car.
“That was wild. I had no idea,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver/Podcast Host said.
“Probably the right front tire catches the bottom of that SAFER barrier just enough to ramp up and just ride. Like, who was that 38 car? Well, I think Martin Truex [Jr.] had that happen at Richmond once. Then maybe it was Kasey Kahne in the old 38 car, Braun [Racing] car way back in the day?”
Denny Hamlin, Driver/Podcast Host said.
For Hamlin, the Smith wreck wasn’t just an eye-catching moment but a pivotal turning point. The crash triggered a caution flag, disrupting race strategies and ending Hamlin’s hopes for a straightforward drive to the finish, especially as he coped with a power steering issue.
Crucial Moments: How the Flip Changed the Race Outcome
Before Smith’s misfortune, Hamlin seemed to be in position to claim victory. NASCAR’s unpredictable nature surfaced once again when John Hunter Nemechek’s move altered Smith’s trajectory and, by extension, the whole race’s complexion. The resulting overtime period forced dramatic final restarts, where Hamlin, struggling with car issues, lost his advantage. Toyota, with Hamlin as its top contender, surrendered the lead to Chase Elliott on the last lap, granting Elliott the win after the restart chaos.
Such flips are rare in major NASCAR races. Last year, for instance, Watkins Glen Raceway witnessed William Byron’s tire riding up Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 car, causing another major incident that drew league-wide attention. Yet Smith’s wreck at Kansas was unique, as his interaction with the wall and the SAFER barrier did the damage rather than contact with another car.
What This Means for Denny Hamlin in the Playoffs
Despite losing out on the Kansas win, Denny Hamlin’s Kansas race reaction was measured and forward-looking. The points situation means that even with the setback, Hamlin has built a comfortable 48-point buffer heading to the Roval, the next playoff cutoff. Maintaining solid finishes, even within the 20s, should allow him to advance to the next round. Hamlin acknowledged that, while winning is valuable, consistent top performances and points accumulation often secure playoff progression in a turbulent postseason.
Wider Playoff Implications and What Comes Next
The Kansas race’s chaos, catalyzed by Zane Smith’s flip and John Hunter Nemechek’s aggressive move, is likely to resonate throughout the remaining playoff schedule. Although Hamlin, Toyota’s top driver, missed out on this win, his strong position in the points race suggests he remains a threat for the championship. For Smith, the incident was a dramatic end to a promising run. Meanwhile, the rest of the NASCAR playoffs continue, with drivers and teams bracing for similarly unpredictable twists as the field narrows and every lap gains significance.
