During last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono, Denny Hamlin and Carson Hocevar used a clever pit road tactic to confuse their competitor Brad Keselowski. This Denny Hamlin NASCAR Pocono trick played a pivotal role after Keselowski made a costly mistake by entering pit road while it was still closed.
How Hamlin and Hocevar’s Strategy Impacted the Race
Keselowski’s bid for victory faltered when he accidentally entered a closed pit road, forcing him to recover by battling through the field. Team radio communications revealed that both Hamlin and Hocevar deliberately feigned following Keselowski onto pit road to mislead him. Hocevar’s crew initially warned him that the pit road light was off, but he confirmed his plan on the radio:
“Yeah I know. I wanted to bait him. I didn’t want him to have him realize the mistake.”
—Carson Hocevar
Similarly, Hamlin assured his team that he was engaging in the same ruse:
“Yeah, I know. I just didn’t want to tip him [Keselowski] off.”
—Denny Hamlin
Keselowski Takes Responsibility for the Pit Road Error
Despite the deceptive approach from Hamlin and Hocevar, Keselowski accepted full responsibility for his error and declined to blame his rivals. He explained on Prime Video’s post-race show,
“This is my fault, let me just be clear with this.”
Keselowski detailed that pit road was held closed longer than usual during the caution periods, leading to confusion.
“We held pit road [closed under caution] every pit cycle for three laps. Normally, they hold pit road for one lap. So when you get to lap two, it’s just an automatic pit. So when we were going down the short chute, the team said, ‘pit this time,’ and I had no reason to challenge them.”
“Ultimately, I hold the steering wheel and I’m the one that’s got to check. I didn’t check the crew chief and the spotter, and that’s my fault.”
—Brad Keselowski
This misstep, coupled with an ill-timed caution later in the race, disrupted Keselowski’s strategy and caused him to fall back to 24th place. From there, he had to push hard to recover into the top ten, ultimately finishing ninth at Pocono.
The Significance of the Pit Road Incident on the Race Outcome
Keselowski’s pit road mistake underscored how tactical plays on pit lane can dramatically alter a race’s outcome. The Denny Hamlin NASCAR Pocono trick demonstrated how gamesmanship between rivals can affect not only positioning but also mental pressure during critical moments. While Keselowski handled his misjudgment with accountability, it highlighted how intense competition and split-second decisions shape results in the NASCAR Cup Series.
With Keselowski’s RFK Racing team aiming for more consistent performance, how pit strategy evolves in upcoming races at Pocono and other tracks will be closely watched. Meanwhile, Hamlin and Hocevar’s coordinated efforts showcase the nuanced tactics drivers and teams are willing to use to gain any advantage.
