Denny Hamlin is now a four-time winner at the Clash. Following a late and well-executed comeback in the final third of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, the No.11 Toyota driver got closer to Dale Earnhardt‘s record of six Clash victories. At one point, it seemed that Ty Gibbs would have claimed his maiden victory in the Clash. In the post-race press conference, Hamlin contended that he would have taken a supporting role in the race if not for Ty’s late crash.

The JGR team owner, Joe Gibbs‘ grandson, led 84 laps, the highest among drivers on Sunday, but suffered from a transmission failure to finish 18th. After repeated contact with Joey Logano, Ty confronted the 2022 champion in the garage to express his displeasure. As for Denny Hamlin, the on-track incident between the two allowed him to steer clear of the traffic and dirty air right into the lead.

Denny Hamlin wanted Ty Gibbs to have his big moment

The dynamics between Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have never stood out. Its drivers are individually talented, and the roster boasts a unique blend of experience, pace, and youth. However, there have been few instances of them showcasing teamwork to help out a teammate. Considering how competitive Denny Hamlin can be at times, it is a surprise that he didn’t want to force a win.

During the tug-of-war between Joey Logano and Ty Gibbs, Hamlin revealed his emotions upfront, saying, “Yeah, it’s tough. I certainly knew Ty was battling for his first win, but I certainly wasn’t going to do anything to try to compromise that.”

Denny Hamlin was not shy about highlighting his strategy of waiting for the right moment to strike either. Crediting his fortune, the 43-year-old added, “I was just lucky I drew the right ping-pong ball with the circumstances that happened off of Turn 2 with him and Joey, and it just kind of opened up the bottom for me. I was really fortunate.”

However, holding his horses in P3, with Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney hot on his heels, was an arduous task. Like a good teammate, he defended the third place and ensured that Ty Gibbs fought fair and square against Logano.

“Sure, there was some bumper tag, but man, once you get in that sandwich and you’re getting pushed from behind and you’re pushing the person in front of you, it’s almost like you can’t stop it,” added Hamlin. “It’s just interesting how it all plays out. My goal was certainly to not have contact with Ty or affect that just simply because it’s a kid’s first opportunity, real opportunity to go win, but also I’m going to do everything I can to win in a very fair manner, and I feel like that’s what we did.”

Read More: “I’ll Remember” – Tempers Flare at the Busch Light Clash as Joey Logano Warns Ty Gibbs in Post Race Altercation

Moving ahead, Denny Hamlin revealed a strong verdict for Ty Gibbs’ performance in 2024. Having watched his development up close, Hamlin felt that the #54 team would have a playoff appearance at the end of the year.

Hamlin places his trust in Ty Gibbs

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After Noah Gragson’s unfortunate expulsion last year, Ty Gibbs was the uncontested winner of the Rookie of the Year award. Having gained recognition, performing up to expectations, and growing as a driver are next on the list. Gibbs has also had a gradual rise in Cup Series racing and has produced sublime seasons in the Xfinity Series. With things working out for him successively, Denny Hamlin is confident of his teammate’s good showing in 2024.

“I think he’s going to have tremendous success this year. I think he’s going to be part of the playoffs. I don’t think that’s going to be a big shock to anyone. But he’s far ahead of where I was when I was his age for sure,” stated Denny Hamlin.

While the scenario has changed a lot since the two JGR drivers made their debuts, Hamlin believes that Ty Gibbs is also a better driver than him at the age of 21. According to the 2024 Busch Light Clash winner, Gibbs is a generational talent and will be the face of NASCAR in the coming years.

“When I was his age, I was definitely still running late models for sure, and I don’t even know if I had won a late model race yet at this point. He’s certainly way ahead of that step. We’re going to be talking about him for 20 plus years. He’s got a great foundation. He’s going to be with a great team for the rest of his career. He’s got everything lined up right for him.” It remains to be seen if Hamlin’s words come true.

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While Ty Gibbs has the talent and the tools to prove them right, a lot will depend on his mentality and adaptability through the 2024 season.