Denny Hamlin faced a frustrating setback at Texas Motor Speedway, as an engine failure led to a fire and forced him out of the race early during the 267-lap event. On lap 75, while running slowly near turn one, Hamlin’s #11 Toyota Camry suddenly caught fire and slid sideways before stopping near the inside wall. The blaze quickly drew a caution, and track officials promptly extinguished the fire, allowing Hamlin to exit his car safely. NASCAR confirmed the driver was evaluated and released from the infield care center without serious injury.
The incident marked Hamlin’s first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and cast a tense shadow over an otherwise promising start. The 44-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing veteran began the mile-and-a-half race in eighth place but battled multiple complications before his engine gave out. Earlier, a miscommunication with his team involving an overheard radio code led Hamlin to remain on the track when instructed to pit, costing valuable time. Additionally, on lap 24, he was penalized for speeding in a closed pit lane, which forced him to restart at the back of the pack.
Despite these hurdles, Hamlin has delivered a strong start to the season with five top-five and six top-ten finishes, including back-to-back victories at Martinsville and Darlington. Yet, the Texas Motor Speedway episode stung, particularly because the engine failure was unexpected and severe. Hamlin spoke candidly about the challenges in a post-race interview with seasoned NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, revealing that both he and the #11 team had miscommunication complications that contributed to the problems on the track.
According to Hamlin, the decision to stop the car where he did was strategic, aimed at minimizing further engine damage.
I didn’t want to cause more harm to the engine,
he shared,
so the manufacturer could identify the exact issue more easily.
This approach reflects the driver’s focus on long-term performance, even in moments of frustration and disappointment.
Looking ahead, Hamlin is scheduled to return at Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400 on May 11, with the race airing at 3:00 p.m. ET on FS1. This event will serve as a critical opportunity for Hamlin to regain momentum before the upcoming NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway. For fans and analysts alike, his ability to rebound from this somber and tense episode will be closely watched, as the engine failure in Texas raises questions about reliability as the season progresses.
