A mechanical failure final week at Homestead-Miami Speedway knocked Denny Hamlin out of the race early and left him 17 factors beneath the cutline to advance into NASCAR’s title-deciding finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Despite having a 17 deficit within the playoff standings, Hamlin is hopeful to show around his playoff probabilities at this weekend’s Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway.
Speaking to the media about his probabilities this weekend, Denny Hamlin mentioned that he has been in such conditions many instances and carried out properly, like he did at Phoenix in 2019. He reckons this type of scenario is like a chance to indicate one thing nice.
“There is a chance right here. Certainly, we’ve got had our backs towards the wall in these conditions the place we’ve type of wanted to win or we actually wanted to achieve loads of factors to make it to the ultimate 4.
“Historically, we’ve completed very well in these conditions. Short of Ross’ transfer final yr, we had been behind and dominated and had been properly on our method. 2019 successful at Phoenix to get in,” Hamlin mentioned as quoted by speedway media.
He continued:
“We’ve done well. So I love those opportunities for sure. I wouldn’t choose it over being ahead like I said, but, certainly, there’s an opportunity there to show what you’re made of.”
The 42-year-old veteran driver entered the playoffs as one of the favourites to make it to the ultimate 4 race. He has had a tremendous 2023 NASCAR season however must earn factors and perhaps even win to advance to the Phoenix race.
“I can’t think of a better race track that fits me” – Denny Hamlin returns to his favourite observe this weekend
Joe Gibbs Racing driver returned to the observe the place he has gained a number of races, and that matches his fashion 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 median end of 10.3 at the paperclip-shaped quick observe.
In a pre-race convention, the place he was requested if he has a finest probability to win at Martinsville contemplating his success at the observe, Hamlin responded:
“The ball is in our court docket. We can resolve our personal destiny if we simply win the race. I want it was that simple.
“I want it was simply based mostly off of pace, and issues like that, however there are loads of different components, however definitely I can’t assume of a greater race observe that matches me and my fashion and my crew.” (through speedway media)
Watch Denny Hamlin at the Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.
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