Denny Hamlin demonstrated his skill as one of the top Cup Series drivers with a strong performance at the Hollywood Casino 400 held at Kansas Speedway. Throughout most of the race, Hamlin showed speed and control, leading an impressive 159 laps while setting the fastest lap time of the day. However, despite this commanding display, a costly pit stop and a power steering failure during the final stages severely impacted his chances of victory, resulting in a narrow loss.
Though Hamlin dominated the opening and middle portions of the race on paper, NASCAR’s unpredictability took center stage during the closing laps. After a slow pit stop late in the race, Hamlin dropped back to sixth place and then struggled to control his car due to a malfunction in his power steering. These difficulties allowed Chase Elliott to seize an opportunity and overtake both Hamlin and teammate Bubba Wallace on the final lap, winning by a razor-thin margin of 0.069 seconds.
Pit Stop Error and Steering Failure Change Outcome
From the beginning, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota was the car to beat, excelling at restarts, cornering, and pit cycles. Despite this, a crucial error in the late pit stop slowed his race progress, placing him behind several competitors. Compounding the problem, Hamlin’s power steering began to fail at a critical moment, making it difficult to maneuver the car through the tight final turns.
Reflecting on the race, Hamlin admitted the difficulty he faced:
“Had a bad pit stop, restarted sixth. One lap to go, I’m thinking, ‘Find a way to get 60.’”
Hamlin also contemplated an alternative strategy, saying,
“If I had to do it all over again, I’d run a little bit lower to allow a space between us so I don’t get so tight.”
His crew chief, Chris Gayle, praised his resilience under such conditions:
“He was able to still hang on to it after his arms were mushed. Really proud of him for doing that and the effort he showed all day.”
Final Corner Battle with Bubba Wallace Creates Opening for Elliott
The closing moments featured an intense duel between Hamlin and teammate Bubba Wallace, both seeking the victory for 23XI Racing. Hamlin’s compromised steering left him vulnerable in the critical last corner, and slight contact between the two Toyotas opened the door for Chase Elliott to slip through and secure the win.
Hamlin acknowledged the difficulty, stating,
“I got really close to the 23,”
and added,
“I would have loved for me and the 23 to battle it out, but obviously I couldn’t turn the car well enough that last corner and got him.”
Wallace, who finished fifth, expressed his disappointment and frustration over the incident, saying, “Can’t talk to him,” and
“I’ve always been big on how you race me is how I race you. No matter who you are, we race hard.”
For Wallace, the sting was not just defeat but also the sense that Elliott benefitted from their rivalry.
“I was excited to race Denny for the win, and we ended up fifth and gave the 9 a win. That’s what’s frustrating the most,”
he admitted.
Chase Elliott’s Steady Strategy Pays Off in Playoff Battle
Chase Elliott’s success was marked less by dominance and more by patience and strategic positioning. Although his car was not the fastest, he remained in touch with the front runners and capitalized as the leaders faltered. This approach embodies the essence of playoff racing, where survival and readiness can trump outright speed.
Wallace’s crew chief, Bootie Denike, summarized Elliott’s performance well:
“Huge result and resiliency. He did a great job sticking with it and fighting through one stint at a time. All you can ask for is a shot to win at the end, and we certainly had that multiple times.”
Elliott’s victory at the Hollywood Casino 400 not only denied Hamlin the top spot but also secured his place in the Round of 8, intensifying the playoff drama.
The race underscored the unpredictable nature of NASCAR competition, showing that no lead is guaranteed until the checkered flag waves. Despite Hamlin’s early strength, mechanical issues and a mistimed pit stop altered the outcome, leaving him wondering what might have been while Elliott advanced with a crucial win.
