Denny Hamlin spoke candidly in a high-pressure media interview at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, providing insights into his recent experiences and preparations as part of Joe Gibbs Racing just before the NASCAR Cup Series race. In an in-depth Denny Hamlin Martinsville interview, he reflected on car handling, personal challenges, and the unpredictable nature of the upcoming championship race.
Hamlin Assesses Practice and Tire Performance
After qualifying at Martinsville, Denny Hamlin addressed the performance of his No. 11 King’s Hawaiian Toyota Camry XSE. Hamlin expressed measured confidence in the car and praised the throwback approach Goodyear took in tire selection, referencing how the tire managed felt reminiscent of previous years. He also emphasized the collective responsibility of all drivers in making their cars last throughout the demanding event.
“I thought it was good. I thought the tire was good. The tire Goodyear brought here was a good choice and what they developed is a throwback to 15 years ago. You definitely have to manage the car. All the drivers are going to have to do their job tomorrow to make it last, so we will see how it goes.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Uncertainty Over Starting Position Due to Technical Issues
Questions were raised about whether Hamlin would be forced to start from the rear of the field in Sunday’s race. He admitted to not being sure what the issue was, noting that identifying the problem is a necessary first step before finding a solution.
“I hope not. You got to know what the problem is before you can actually fix it. I don’t know that we know what the problem is.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Managing Exhaustion and Commitment During Court Proceedings
Hamlin also addressed how his week had been affected by court commitments, spending several days in legal proceedings but insisting he remained focused on his racing duties. He described long days split between court visits and late nights at the Joe Gibbs Racing shop, underlining his ongoing commitment to preparation for Martinsville despite significant fatigue.
“I’m tired, but I didn’t stop working. I was just at the shop until nine 10 o’clock at night. I go from court to the shop, we don’t stop being prepared.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
The Importance of Banner Ceremonies at Joe Gibbs Racing
Hamlin shared his thoughts on post-win banner ceremonies at the Joe Gibbs Racing shop, discussing their role in fostering team appreciation across various departments. He spoke about the challenge of keeping acknowledgments fresh but stressed the opportunity these occasions provide for direct expressions of thanks to often unseen staff members, from those “on the competition side” to the fabrication shop.
“From my standpoint, I run out of things to say. I try to get as creative as I can, each one is a little bit different. You don’t get to see the carpet walkers all the time on the second floor who are not touching the racecar. You have the competition side on the other side, and you got folks in the fabrication shop, you just don’t see those folks that often. It’s just an opportunity to see them face-to-face and thank them, otherwise the only other time we get to thank them is in victory lane or at the Christmas party at the end of the year. It’s our only shot. We try to do our best to show our appreciation because we know it’s our face time with them.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Insights on Legal Negotiations and Trial Prospects
Turning to the ongoing legal situation, Hamlin described settlement talks during the week as initially promising but ultimately without resolution. He suggested both parties felt strongly about their cases, alluding to the tense and high-stakes nature of the proceedings.
“It was ok the first day, not great the second day and I don’t know, it didn’t end in any resolution unfortunately.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
He identified limited scheduling as the only practical hurdle ahead, projecting an atmosphere of conflict and uncertainty in court. The tense mood was captured in a metaphor about one party potentially being on a disastrous course.
“Just days in the week, that’s it. Both sides probably feel strong about their case. You sat in the court and heard the arguments. I’ll let you come up with your own opinion, but I think one of us is on a suicide mission.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Outlook on the Championship and Next Steps
When pressed about his outlook for a first championship victory this year, Hamlin described the unpredictability of the NASCAR season and the factors that can dramatically affect race outcomes. He mentioned fellow contender Corey Heim as someone with equal chances and highlighted the equal opportunities available in the high-stakes final rounds.
“It’s week-to-week. I wish I could tell you that we are just faster, I don’t know. We have an equal chance as Corey Heim, who has dominated his season. He’s still got a 25% chance, and that’s what we are going to have next week. I’m optimistic about where we are running. These NASCAR races sometimes come down to things that are just unpredictable. You just hope that the things that are out of your control don’t inhibit you in any kind way. But I think on the racetrack if we do our jobs I think we will be one of the guys who will contend next week.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Considering the milestone of reaching 60 career wins, Hamlin reflected on what targets remain, mentioning Indianapolis as a notable absent victory. He expressed a desire to continue racing with high energy and savoring each race that follows.
“I’m not really sure. I probably need to think about it in the offseason, truthfully. I’ll think about the races I have left. There are goals, I haven’t won in Indy, that’s one that comes top of mind that I would love to accomplish. I live to go fast every weekend and try to be everyone else. Everyone from here on out is going to be special and I’m going to cherish them.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
The Pressure and Strategies Entering Martinsville
Having secured safety above the championship cutline with a previous win at Las Vegas, Hamlin admitted it was a relief not needing to feel the same pressure at Martinsville. Still, he noted the competitive intensity on display at practice, predicting a close and unpredictable battle for the remaining spots in the Championship 4, with both established drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell likely playing pivotal roles.
On strategy in the final laps, Hamlin explained that this year’s circumstances force more drivers to view the race as must-win, shifting the competitive landscape toward direct competition among those at risk of elimination. He commended the media for capturing the evolving narrative around these crucial moments.
“I think what is unique about the situation this year is there are four who know they have to win. In years past, we’ve had probably one or two who had to win and then had a lot of guys who just are iffy on points, depending on their day. I think this is so cut and dry that there are six who believe they have to win the race because more than likely that if a Kyle Larson or Christopher Bell runs second, I believe they are going to run second to one of those guys in the bottom four. So it’s a race against each other. There’s just a lot of different storylines and thoughts and you all are doing a really good job of telling that story.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Preparing with Martinsville Insights for Phoenix
Looking ahead to the following week’s race at Phoenix, Hamlin said he was reluctant to reveal specifics about technical adjustments but shared that improving his own performance was a focus. He described Phoenix as a track fitting his experience, yet acknowledged ongoing efforts to fine-tune both the car and his driving for an edge in the championship-deciding event.
“The list is too long. I can’t tip my hat on that, getting better is the short answer. As a driver, I have always thought that Phoenix has not been my strong suit even though it’s in my wheelhouse of shorter flat tracks. So half the focus has been on myself more so than trying to get everything I can out of the car.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Significance of Hamlin’s Reflections Heading to the Final Rounds
Denny Hamlin’s open discussion at Martinsville comes at a pivotal time, as the NASCAR Cup Series edges toward its championship conclusion. Through his remarks about technical challenges, team unity, and the unique hurdles faced this season, Hamlin paints a multifaceted picture of a veteran driver balancing personal obstacles with professional ambition. As the series advances to Phoenix, the insights shared in this Denny Hamlin Martinsville interview provide a window into the determination and complexities at play within Joe Gibbs Racing and among the top contenders.
