In a gut-wrenching turn of events, the championship dreams for Denny Hamlin came crashing down like a loose wheel on a racetrack. The night that promised glory turned into a heartbreakingly close encounter with victory at Darlington Raceway. At the start, Hamlin dominated the race like a maestro commanding an orchestra. He led with an iron grip, racking up 177 laps and triumphantly sweeping the first two stages. Victory seemed confident, like a tantalizingly close treasure waiting to be claimed. And then, like a cruel twist of fate, a loose wheel emerged as the uninvited guest to the party.

In the Actions Detrimental podcast’s latest episode, Denny Hamlin opened up about the crushing defeat he endured during a recent race. Co-hosted by Jared Allen, the podcast delved into Hamlin’s emotions following a race where victory seemed within his grasp before slipping away due to a seemingly minor error.

Denny Hamlin opens up about crushing defeat in his podcast 

Jared Allen posed a poignant question to Hamlin, asking about the speed at which he could come to terms with the sudden shift in fortune after leading the race for a significant number of laps. The 2022 Coca-Cola 600 winner’s response revealed the depth of his disappointment.

“I mean it sucks. It really does You know not winning sucks more than anything else. I mean, you know, it’s five more bonus points It’s another trophy on the trophy case. Not just a trophy. No, it’s so the problem. It’s a major. It’s another major I would have been eight Dang it!” 

The 3 times Daytona 500 winner further stated, “I mean it stinks but there’s nothing I can do about it I just I’m gonna drive the car a hundred percent every lap and We’re gonna win and lose as a team. You know those guys they’ve got me off pit road Numerous times in first place. So this is just one of those small hiccups and every now and then you have you know Fall start. And this is the equivalent only it was at the end of the game when you could have nailed it down.” 

The race’s intensity reached a crescendo as Denny Hamlin, a force to be reckoned with, held the lead for an impressive 177 laps and clinched the first two stages with finesse. The crowd’s anticipation soared as Hamlin pitted for tires and fuel, only for fate to intervene with a loose wheel. An agonizing green-flag segment saw Hamlin’s championship hopes plummet as he lost a lap and plunged to 30th place in the 36-car field.

WATCH THIS STORY: Denny Hamlin Blames Tony Stewart for Letting Down Slowest Kevin Harvick

As if that twist of fate wasn’t enough, Hamlin’s misfortune continued to unfold.

The unfortunate multi-car wreck that took Hamlin further down

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A multi-car front stretch collision involving Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland, and Christopher Bell further dented his hopes. His once-promising night dwindled into a 25th-place finish, leaving fans and Hamlin himself grappling with the cruel hand dealt by destiny.

Even amidst the disheartening defeat, Hamlin’s spirit remains unshaken. His words, delivered with the intensity of a burning engine, encapsulate his undying determination. “I don’t know where the points are, and I really don’t care. I hate losing a race that we definitely should have won,” Hamlin asserts, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

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Yet, Hamlin’s misfortune at Darlington wasn’t just an isolated incident. It shed light on a recurring issue plaguing Joe Gibbs Racing—their pit stop troubles. From glaring errors to lost time, the pit crew’s challenges haunted the team throughout the season, creating a narrative of what could have been for Hamlin and his fellow drivers.