Denny Hamlin came agonizingly close to achieving his 60th career victory during the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, but a tight battle in the final corner denied him the win. Despite a strong car and excellent team effort, Hamlin’s hopes were dashed in the last moments of the race.
Challenges and Mechanical Issues Hinder the Final Push
Hamlin described the day as “super disappointing,” emphasizing how badly he wanted the milestone victory. The car’s speed and performance were exceptional throughout the race, and the team provided him with everything needed to contend. However, the last restart exposed difficulties, particularly a lack of power steering and low electrical voltage that hampered his control on the final run.
“Just super disappointing. I wanted it bad. It would have been 60 for me. The team just did an amazing job with the car, just really, really fast. Gave me everything I needed. Got the restart I needed. Just couldn’t finish it there on the last corner,”
Hamlin said.
He also noted the increased pressure in the closing laps when the battle with the No. 23 car became extremely tight, leading to the No. 9 driver escaping with the victory.
Reflecting on Past Struggles and Personal Motivations
Hamlin acknowledged that Kansas Speedway has posed a recurring challenge in past seasons, laden with mechanical failures and other setbacks. This time, however, he had one of his best-performing cars at the track.
“Yeah, just mechanical failures and different things have really hindered us in years past, and we had no power steering that last run. Low voltage. Just a lot of things and just couldn’t — just disappointing because I don’t think I’ve ever had a car that good to the competition,”
Hamlin explained.
Beyond the competitive frustration, Hamlin shared a personal motivation driving his intensity: a desire to win for his family and supporters.
“Man, I wanted it for my dad. I wanted it for everybody. Just wanted it a little too hard.”
What This Means for Hamlin and His Team Going Forward
Although missing out on the landmark 60th win is a tough blow, Hamlin’s strong showing underscores his potential as the season continues. With a team delivering high-caliber performance and experience overcoming adversity, future races may yet provide the breakthrough he has sought at Kansas Speedway.
