Denny Hamlin finds himself in the hot seat after a controversial incident with Erik Jones that unfolded during the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway last Sunday. As the sixth race of the season, the stakes were high, but it was Hamlin's miscalculation that stole the spotlight. Reflecting on the incident during his latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin took complete responsibility for the collision, revealing the thought process that led to the mishap.
On Lap 111, Hamlin misjudged Jones’ racing line, believing he would stick to the high side as he had previously. Instead, Jones made a decisive move to the low line, forcing Hamlin to react quickly. “I’m coming down the back stretch with a run and I’m like, all right, I’m going to go low and then try to jump in there low and hard,” he admitted. This split-second decision proved disastrous. Hamlin described his aggressive entry into Turn 3, saying, “Entries were my strongest suit of the weekend… I just flat out drove in so hard that then I locked my brakes up… My rear tires were off the ground. Trying to stop it shot me dead a** into him… I was like bro…I just f****d up and overdrove the corner.”
Despite the collision, both drivers managed to escape serious injury, and their cars sustained minimal damage, a fortunate outcome in the high-stakes world of NASCAR. Jones finished in 10th place, while Hamlin just missed the top ten, finishing 11th. Hamlin did reach out to Jones post-race to express his apologies, and reports indicate that Jones accepted them graciously.
The race victory went to Tyler Reddick, who drives for Hamlin's 23XI Racing team, marking a historic moment as Reddick became the only driver in Cup Series history to win four out of the first six races of a season. This added a layer of complexity to Hamlin's reflections, as he balances his roles as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and as an owner at 23XI Racing.
In the wake of Reddick’s triumph, Hamlin addressed questions regarding the rivalry between Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing. He explained that rather than seeing the success of his team as a threat, it’s more of a mutually beneficial relationship. “What was 23XI saying last week when I just smoked them? Same thing, right? That’s why this partnership and alliance works with JGR and 23XI,” he said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their efforts. Hamlin believes this dynamic allows both teams to share valuable insights that enhance their performance on the track.
Looking ahead, Hamlin is gearing up for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, scheduled for May 29. This 400-lap event promises to be another thrilling chapter in the NASCAR season, with Hamlin seeking to rebound from the Darlington mishap and make a strong push for the championship. Fans can catch all the action live on FS1, with radio updates available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The race is not just another event; it’s a crucial opportunity for Hamlin to demonstrate his skill and determination as he chases that elusive first Cup Series championship.
