On Sunday, Denny Hamlin overcame his long-standing difficulties on NASCAR’s road courses by executing a savvy strategy and enduring a last-minute engine replacement, leading to a standout performance at the Chicago Cup. Hamlin, who had struggled with only one top-10 finish in 18 attempts on road courses during the Next Gen era, shocked fans and competitors alike with a strong fourth-place finish at the Grant Park 165 event.
During Saturday’s practice, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE suffered an engine failure, forcing Joe Gibbs Racing to perform a rapid engine swap just before the race. This mishap relegated Hamlin to start at the very back of the pack on the challenging Chicago street circuit. Despite the setback, his resilience and well-planned race approach allowed him to advance steadily through the field and complete all 75 laps with a powerful finish.
How Fuel Management and Consistent Pace Fueled Hamlin’s Revival
Throughout the race, Hamlin focused on conserving fuel without sacrificing speed, a strategy that balanced aggression with caution perfectly. The 44-year-old driver emphasized maintaining a steady pace, which proved crucial in his climb through the ranks, even running excellent lap times while saving fuel.
“Well, I was saving the entire run and still able to run excellent lap times,”
Denny Hamlin said.
“Truthfully, I felt pretty good all day. We marched forward all day long. The car had pace in it—that’s key to getting a good finish.”
As Hamlin moved towards the front, his ability to ease off the tires while continuing to manage fuel effectively became evident.
“Once I was able to get towards the front, I could save and take it easy on the tires. I would’ve loved to be on equal terms to see how far off I was from those two guys, but it just didn’t seem like that much.”
Recognizing Team Effort Behind the Comeback
Hamlin credited his crew chief, Chris Gayle, and Toyota’s support team for their quick turnaround after the engine failure, highlighting the teamwork that turned a difficult weekend into a highlight. His gratitude extended to everyone involved in the engine swap and race preparation, acknowledging their crucial role in his strong finish.
“Gotta give great credit to Chris Gayle and the progressive Toyota team,”
Hamlin remarked.
“Yesterday went rough—just not one of those days we needed. Today, we bounced back and executed well.”
He noted that this race was one of the first green-flag road course events without any mechanical or other issues, underlining the significance of such a clean race for his performance.
“This is one of the first green races where we didn’t have any issues on a road course. This is the kind of finish and the kind of pace that we can have when we don’t have incidents.”
Looking Ahead to Sonoma and Building on Momentum
Having finally broken his road course curse, Hamlin aims to carry this momentum into next weekend’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, which remains another tough road course challenge. Given his recent smart strategy and strong execution in Chicago, expectations are high that he will continue to improve his road course results.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Starting his full-time Cup Series career in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved an impressive record. He has 51 Cup Series victories, including three Daytona 500 wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020, while earning substantial prize money.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Near the end of last year, 23XI and Front Row filed a lawsuit against NASCAR because they didn’t want to agree to new charter renewal terms. They requested a temporary court order to be acknowledged as chartered teams for the current season. However, on Thursday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, decided in favor of NASCAR.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. His career earnings come from race winnings, contracts, and endorsements, amassing a $65 million fortune.
Hamlin’s Wealth Strategy: ✔ He earns large sums from NASCAR through race winnings and contracts. ✔ He has long-lasting sponsorship agreements with brands such as FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin, originally from Chesterfield, Virginia, has expanded his racing achievements into a successful business. His wealth comes not just from winning races but also from sponsorships and endorsements. Additionally, he co-owns the 23XI Racing team with basketball legend Michael Jordan, which significantly boosts his financial standing.
