Denny Hamlin Painfully Admits Defeat to Hendrick Motorsports as He Reveals Kyle Larson Factor is Holding Back Tyler Reddick

Leaving his competitors in the dust during the first three races of the 2023 playoffs, Kyle Larson’s performance has been nothing short of legendary. With back-to-back top-five finishes and a spectacular win at Darlington, which propelled him into the second playoff round, he’s been unstoppable. Larson’s average finish of 2.3 over these races is a close second to Greg Biffle’s 2008 record. However, Texas brought a twist to the tale.

Despite a promising start, Kyle Larson’s dreams of victory were shattered by a late crash that pushed him to a disappointing 31st-place finish. Even though his Texas stint might be a mere blip in his remarkable season, his dominance has not gone unnoticed. Joe Gibbs Racing star Denny Hamlin acknowledged the prowess, conceding a defeat that only Rick Hendrick‘s Chevy could muster. The former acknowledged that the Hendrick magic in the hands of Kyle Larson seemed to cast a shadow over his own drivers, leaving even talents like Tyler Reddick struggling at P25.

Texas Speedway’s tumultuous ride as Reddick struggles under Denny Hamlin scrutiny

The playoffs’ round of 12 opener at the Lone Star State was a rollercoaster, living up to its reputation as a track that can deliver both excitement and unpredictability. The showdown featured a staggering 10 DNFs and cautions aplenty, reminding many of the chaos that unfolded in the previous year’s race. In 2022, Texas Speedway was plagued by a rain delay and lap-after-lap chaos, boasting a staggering 16 cautions and 7 DNFs.

The root of these misfortunes can be traced back to the controversial track reconstruction in 2017. Since then, cars have been teetering dangerously on the treacherous outer lane, making every lap a gamble. Denny Hamlin, never one to hold back his criticisms, has long lamented the struggles posed by this track. However, as any racing aficionado knows, it takes not just a good track but also a car that can match the pack’s speed and lead it. Denny Hamlin was openly seen admitting that the 23XI Toyota lacked the necessary credentials for this.

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After the Texas race, where pole-sitter Bubba Wallace “choked” on the final restart, relinquishing victory and settling for P3, Denny Hamlin raised questions about Wallace’s strategic choice to take the outer lane. Even his other driver, Tyler Reddick, didn’t escape scrutiny. Hamlin, on his podcast ‘Actions Detrimental,’ remarked, “This is an off week for Reddick. He didn’t run that well, and that certainly is not as good as I thought they would.”

It’s clear that despite their moments in the spotlight, both 23XI drivers have some work to do to match the likes of Larson and pull away from the pack, even when they were leading. “Even when they were upfront, they weren’t able to do what Larson did, and that was pulling away from the pack. Like when you are upfront leading, you should be able to just ‘walk the dog.’ If you’ve truly got speed, you are gonna ‘walk the dog’ and pull away from the pack pretty big.”

Denny Hamlin’s championship reality check as the HMS threat looms large

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Denny Hamlin‘s admission of defeat in the face of Rick Hendrick’s ace is a rare glimpse into the mind of a fiercely competitive driver. Departing from his usual disposition, Hamlin recently once again admitted Larson’s on-track prowess, acknowledging him as a substantial threat to his championship dreams.

During a one-on-one interview with Fox Sports, Denny Hamlin offered a glimpse into his perspective on the current season and his competitive mindset. When questioned about the potential impact of not winning the championship this year, Hamlin admitted that it would likely sting more than usual.

He recognized that this season presented a fantastic opportunity for him and his team. In years past, there have typically been four or five strong competitors, leaving Hamlin feeling like the “next best” more often than not. Hamlin confidently stated that when his team hits its peak performance, they are on par with, if not better than, the rest of the field.

But he did not fail to add, that while he is at his peak there are other drivers looming as a threat for that title, notably Kyle Larson vying for a second championship title. “The 5 car [of Kyle Larson] has also shown that” Hamlin conceded in a nod to Larson’s undeniable talent.

Read more: Denny Hamlin Expresses Regret as Battle With Friend Turned Rival Got Jeopardized by Joe Gibbs’ Grandson

While the No. 5 Chevy has been an undeniable front-runner in recent races, the misfortune at Texas not only dented Larson’s streak but also his points tally, leaving him perched precariously just 2 points above the playoff cutline. The next two races at Talladega Superspeedway and the ROVAL will be the true deciders, shaping the Playoff Round of 8 grid.