Denny Hamlin Uses Chase Elliott?s Bitter Martinsville Memory to Justify His Intentions for Final 4 Rival Tyler Reddick

As the NASCAR playoff tension continues to mount, all eyes are on the critical showdown at Martinsville this Sunday. Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick find themselves on the brink of either securing a spot in the Championship 4 or watching their title dreams slip away. While racing at Martinsville always tends to deliver high drama, the specter of past encounters has come to the forefront, especially for Denny Hamlin, who recently recalled a bitter memory involving Chase Elliott at Martinsville in 2017.

In the pre-race conference, Hamlin was asked to talk about his approach if it came down to racing Reddick for a spot in the final 4. Hamlin touched upon the pivotal moment between him and Elliott in 2017. He used the incident to shed light on his perspective on split-second decisions during high-pressure races.

Denny Hamlin talks about his approach heading into Martinsville

Hamlin and Reddick’s playoff fates hang in the balance at Martinsville. While Hamlin holds the advantage of starting from the fourth position, the 23XI Racing star faces an uphill battle, starting the race in 19th place. However, crucially, Reddick maintains a 7-point lead over Hamlin in the playoff standings.

In 2017, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott found themselves embroiled in a dramatic showdown at the very same track. During the closing laps at Martinsville, with a spot in the final 4 on the line, The Joe Gibbs Racing driver made contact with Elliott’s Chevrolet. It caused Elliott’s #24 car to spin into the wall. This incident paved the way for a Kyle Busch victory, while Elliott’s championship hopes crumbled.

When asked how he intends to approach racing with Reddick, who currently sits above him in the playoff standings. Hamlin pointed to the 2017 incident. He highlighted the importance of preparation and the need to anticipate split-second decisions.

“You think about all that stuff,” Hamlin explained. “But that is so many what-ifs that I would be losing focus on what I can control. Those are split-second decisions. When they happen ? like Chase Elliott in 2017 ? that was a split-second panic mode that this is my only shot to make it. I’ve got to do it now. Things change when you get in the moment for sure and you don’t always think 100 percent clearly. But if you come up with a plan beforehand, it helps your IQ in that moment, because you have thought through it.”

Hamlin acknowledged the complexity of their situation. Racing for a place in the Championship 4, Hamlin understands what’s at stake. Hamlin expressed his empathy for Reddick’s position, saying, “I understand it both ways. The #45 and the #11 – if we are racing each other – and he knocks me out of the way. It would be hard for me to say you shouldn’t have done that because he’s racing. And the other way around. Certainly, I wouldn’t expect us to wreck each other. But we are competitors and competing for what would be dreams for both of us.”

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While Hamlin used Elliott’s example to put things into perspective, a NASCAR insider recently made some bold claims about the Hendrick Motorsports star.

Chase Elliott has “fallen like a rock” claims Kyle Petty

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Chase Elliott’s season, from the very beginning, has been plagued by misfortune. An injury sidelined him for several races, followed by a suspension for a single race. All that has led to his first-ever non-playoff contention season. Despite qualifying for the owner’s playoffs, Elliott failed to capitalize on that opportunity as well.

Kyle Petty, a former NASCAR driver, offered a stark assessment of Elliott’s 2023 season during a recent appearance on the Motorsports on NBC Podcast. He was asked if Elliott had any chance to win in Martinsville. “I think Chase Elliott’s best chance to win at Martinsville is next year,” Petty declared, painting a somber picture of Elliott’s current state. He continued, “This year has been an abysmal year for Chase Elliott, and I don’t want to get into the owner’s playoffs and all that stuff, but my gosh, man. He’s fallen like a rock in the owner’s playoff. Put him in a playoff situation, and he falls like a rock.”

READ MORE: ?If Chase Were in the Playoffs?? Fans Call Out Jeff Gordon?s Failed Monetary Excuse to Draw Attention to Chase Elliott

What are your thoughts on Hamlin’s chances at Martinsville? Can he point his way into the Championship 4? Let us know in the comments below.