“We Just Didn’t Execute a Good Restart” -Frustrated JGR Insider Puts Denny Hamlin & Joe Gibbs Under the Microscope for Dropping the Ball at Kansas

After the NASCAR race today in Kansas, disappointment continues for Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran has been touted to be one of the fastest drivers in the Cup, supplied with a car capable of showing ridiculous raw pace. The #11 Camry’s abilities have been tested in the playoffs, and it is safe to say that Denny has risen to the occasion both times.

But that is not all there is to racing in NASCAR. Execution and finishing the race in a good position are also important aspects of being a race car driver. However, it seems like that could also be the one aspect the #11 team might lack. After a thorough introspection, a certain JGR insider has spoken out of his mind following a cruel twist in their fortunes at Kansas.

Crew chief dives deeper into Denny Hamlin missing out on another win in successive weeks

The unpredictability of the Cup Series was on display at Kansas. Having dominated the NASCAR race today for an extended part of the final stage, Denny Hamlin looked certain to clinch the Hollywood Casino 400 until the final laps. Beating off competition from fellow veteran and team owner Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin sped through to become the race leader. However, little did he know that his driver from 23XI Racing would take that spot from him in the last two laps of the race.

Chris Buescher initiated the beginning of an overtime restart with a wreck that brought out the caution flag in the dying moments. This incident not only turned the race on his head but also leveled the playing ground for the drivers.

On the restart of the NASCAR race today in Kansas, Hamlin found himself in a fix, trying to overcome the resurgence from Kyle Larson while having to close in on Tyler Reddick, who passed Joey Logano for the lead. His crew chief Chris Gabehart was visibly distraught at the unaccounted developments in the race. Speaking to a media representative in a post-race interview, he conveyed his emotions about the unlucky finish in successive weeks.

Chris said, “I mean it was earlier than that. I mean 50 to go and pits started, I knew the right readers weren’t going to make it that long.” spoke Gabehart.

“That’s just true if I just knew there wasn’t any way we don’t fit the green flag laps, that’s too much time. So you’re just preparing for it and as the place passes on, you’re trying to figure out ‘Okay, now what am I going to do if now what am I going to be different?”

“We executed perfectly in terms of our strategy and what I needed to do with the car with the help of my team and I thought that was great. We just didn’t execute a good restart”, he further added.

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The #11 crew chief’s feelings resonate with their performance which was heart-breaking, to say the least. Although Hamlin will be happy for Reddick, he would have preferred to seal his place in the final 12 with a win.

Gabehart believes their car wasn’t fast enough in the NASCAR race

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Speaking about a possible consideration for bringing in two new tires, Gabehart said, ” Yeah, there definitely was but I thought worst case scenario we were going to restart in third or fourth row and I thought that was enough to win the race and it was. I mean, four tires won the race with the #45 pretty easily and if we had a better restart I think we’d have a great shot at it.”

A possible solution for Hamlin would have been to focus less on Larson, who was making his way forward from the back. Had he remained focused on the drivers in front of him, maybe we could have witnessed him win another playoff race. A similar course of events was also seen at Darlington, where, despite being the fastest driver, he limped out of the lead with an unlucky contact.

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On being asked about their inability to finish the race on top despite having dominated a major part of it, the crew chief added, ” Right now, it’s more disappointment.”

“You hate to keep losing races you’re supposed to win. But the truth is we’re capable of going… Kansas is a great racetrack for us and so is Darlington. Bristol’s really good, so you want to capitalize on your strengths and so it’s frustrating when you don’t. But at the same time, you know first things first, you gotta be fast enough to win, and clearly we aren’t.

Avoiding mistakes will be crucial for Denny Hamlin if he hopes to have a genuine shot at the championship. Although there is a lot of time to improve, there is not much room for error either.