Denny Hamlin, one of the longest-tenured competitors for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), has amassed an impressive 48 wins over 17 campaigns, solidifying his place as a veteran in the garage. Known for his versatility across various tracks, Hamlin’s career hasn’t been without controversy. A recent one emerged when Hamlin confessed to being at odds with his crew chief.

The tension between Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart stemmed from a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where rain forced a shortened 75-lap event. In a twist of fate, Alex Bowman’s car spun out, colliding with the left rear of Hamlin’s #11 car. Both drivers regained control and resumed the race as NASCAR announced that any lap could be the final one due to an approaching storm.

Despite the uncertain conditions, Hamlin and the JGR team decided to stay on track, defying Gabehart’s advice to pit and change tires. In a recent podcast, the NASCAR star unraveled the layered truths of their strained relationship.

Testing patience: Hamlin pushes limits in the face of frustration

Hamlin’s frustration reached a breaking point, as he confessed in the podcast, “I mean, we just weren’t fast. I couldn’t run a fast lap in practice, qualifying, or on restarts, which are crucial for fast laps today.”

The NASCAR veteran admitted to being on the edge. He emphasized, “I was losing my mind in there. I was really loose at one time,” fearing that Chris would explode and tell him to “shut the f**k up and drive.” To Hamlin’s surprise, Gabehart was patient, assuring him to keep giving his best despite being on the verge of losing control.

Hamlin wasn’t done. He continued, “I thought we had a good car in the long run, but we got off somewhere. I didn’t do a very good job executing, overdriving corners, getting hung on seams left and right.”

He explained that the wide gaps between seams on the race track caused his car to follow a detrimental line, losing significant time. It was a frustrating experience for Hamlin, realizing that a mere half-second difference could make or break his performance.

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Hamlin believes Busch to have used the “stay-out strategy”

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With a hint of skepticism, Hamlin hinted that he might pass on including Busch in the final four contenders. Moreover, analyzing the current standings, Hamlin acknowledged that Busch had accumulated the second-most playoff points. He has his doubts regarding Busch’s consistency and overall performance.

Hamlin also expressed his bewilderment regarding his former teammate, Kyle Busch. When discussing the drivers who might make it to the Championship 4 race, Hamlin struggled to comprehend Busch’s performance this season. He remarked, “I don’t understand Kyle Busch. I didn’t think he ran that well yesterday, and yet he finished fifth… most of the guys upfront were part of the stay-out strategy.”

The intense pressure to perform, coupled with conflicting strategies and expectations, can push even the most seasoned veterans to their limits. Will Hamlin and Gabehart find a way to reconcile their differences, or will their clash of opinions continue to test their patience and hinder their on-track success? Only time will tell in this high-speed drama on the NASCAR circuit.

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