Denny Hamlin acknowledged a mistake he made during qualifying for the Brickyard 400 held last weekend, which resulted in a crash and forced his team to switch to a backup car for the race. Speaking on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin described the specific conditions of the qualifying lap and what caused him to lose control.
He explained that the alternate start/finish line used between turns three and four for qualifying was intended to streamline the process by allowing drivers to complete their timed lap and pull directly into the pits rather than coasting around for an extended period. Hamlin said,
“The alternate start/finish line is in between turns three and four for practice and qualifying. So it allows us to finish our lap and then versus coasting all the way around, taking another two minutes of your time before the next car can go.”
He added that the line’s repositioning required drivers to cross it twice during their lap before entering the pits.
On his actual lap, Hamlin felt confident after navigating turn four, though his car was on edge. However, approaching turn one, he noticed his car had unusually high grip and entered turn two feeling fast but unstable. Hamlin recounted,
“I tried to go into turn two, and I felt the grip on corner entry, felt fine, but I just got back to it. Anyone that have seen kind of my traces and how I drive and how I use the throttle, I gave it one of those big stabs right in the middle of the corner of two, and it got me offline. I got up in the stuff and then it put me in the wall.”
Performance in Backup Car Leads to Strong Podium Finish
The damage from the qualifying crash compelled the No. 11 team to race using their backup car on Sunday. Despite starting at the rear of the field, Hamlin managed a remarkable comeback, finishing in third place. He described the backup car in straightforward terms, highlighting its lack of refinement compared to his primary vehicle.
Hamlin shared,
“I think it was Chris Gabehart says it’s a trailer rat. It’s been hauled around for quite some time. It certainly did not have the time and attention that everyone else’s primary had. It’s more of a basic car. It’s got four tires, it rolls and then you try to do your best to put that setup in there.”
Hamlin’s drive in the backup car marked his third top-five finish in four races and second consecutive top-five performance. The previous week, he secured a victory at Dover, his fourth win of the season. Although he did not win the Brickyard 400, Hamlin and his 23XI Racing team still celebrated a landmark moment, as teammate Bubba Wallace won the race, delivering Hamlin his first win as a team owner this season.
Significance of Hamlin’s Brickyard 400 Effort and Season Outlook
The weekend’s events showcased Hamlin’s determination and skill in overcoming adversity, reflecting his consistent competitiveness throughout the season. Racing a backup car to a podium finish at a major event like the Brickyard 400 signals the strength of both driver and team under pressure. His ability to quickly adapt and deliver top results underscores the depth of preparation in 23XI Racing’s program.
With multiple strong results and a recent victory at Dover, Hamlin is reinforcing his position as a serious contender in the season. The success of the team at Indianapolis, including Wallace’s victory, adds momentum heading into upcoming races. Hamlin’s candid explanation of his qualifying crash provides insight into the challenges drivers face, while his resilience during the race highlights his focus and determination moving forward.
