A mechanical failure final week at Homestead-Miami Speedway knocked Denny Hamlin out of the race early and left him 17 factors under the cutline to advance into NASCAR’s title-deciding finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Regardless of having a 17 deficit within the playoff standings, Hamlin is hopeful to show round his playoff probabilities at this weekend’s Spherical of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway.
Talking to the media about his probabilities this weekend, Denny Hamlin stated that he has been in such conditions many instances and carried out effectively, like he did at Phoenix in 2019. He reckons this sort of scenario is like a chance to indicate one thing nice.
“There is a chance right here. Actually, we’ve got had our backs towards the wall in these conditions the place we’ve sort of wanted to win or we actually wanted to realize numerous factors to make it to the ultimate 4.
“Traditionally, we’ve executed very well in these conditions. Wanting Ross’ transfer final yr, we had been behind and dominated and had been effectively on our method. 2019 profitable at Phoenix to get in,” Hamlin stated as quoted by speedway media.
He continued:
“We’ve executed effectively. So I really like these alternatives for certain. I wouldn’t select it over being forward like I stated, however, definitely, there’s a chance there to indicate what you’re product of.”
The 42-year-old veteran driver entered the playoffs as one of many favourites to make it to the ultimate 4 race. He has had an incredible 2023 NASCAR season however must earn factors and possibly even win to advance to the Phoenix race.
“I can’t consider a greater race monitor that matches me” – Denny Hamlin returns to his favourite monitor this weekend
Joe Gibbs Racing driver returned to the monitor the place he has received a number of races, and that matches his type of racing.
Denny Hamlin has 5 profession wins at Martinsville Speedway, together with at Xfinity 500 in 2009 and 2010. He additionally holds 18-top-5s, 24 top-10s with a mean end of 10.3 on the paperclip-shaped quick monitor.
In a pre-race convention, the place he was requested if he has a greatest probability to win at Martinsville contemplating his success on the monitor, Hamlin responded:
“The ball is in our court docket. We will resolve our personal destiny if we simply win the race. I want it was that straightforward.
“I want it was simply based mostly off of pace, and issues like that, however there are numerous different elements, however definitely I can’t consider a greater race monitor that matches me and my type and my staff.” (through speedway media)
Watch Denny Hamlin on the Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.