Coca-Cola 600 Recap: Denny Hamlin’s Tough Finish Amid Fuel Trouble
In a dramatic Coca-Cola 600, Denny Hamlin’s race ended with a 16th-place finish, marking his first completed race in the NASCAR Cup Series for May. Despite showing strong pace, Hamlin’s chances for a top finish were compromised by a critical fueling issue during the final pit stop.
Hamlin was in a competitive position, running third when he pitted for fuel with less than 50 laps remaining. However, the second fuel can failed to deliver sufficient fuel into his Toyota, resulting in a crucial loss of track position. “We were really fast,” Hamlin noted. “I would have loved to see that battle through… I wasn’t going to risk getting in the fence when I’m too short on fuel.”
The race was initially shaping up as a showdown among Hamlin, William Byron, and Ross Chastain. After a joint pit stop on lap 349, Byron emerged ahead and quickly distanced himself from Hamlin. Chastain, pitting two laps later than anticipated, capitalized on fresher tires to overtake Hamlin for second place with 26 laps remaining.
Hamlin’s final pit stop with just 12 laps to go prevented him from clinching a better position, as a timely caution might have allowed him to regain lost ground. He led for 53 laps during the event, showcasing his car’s potential, though he expressed frustration at the missed opportunity. “It was fun battling up front. Nobody could lead because everyone would get too loose,” he said, indicating a tough but competitive race.
Crew chief Chris Gayle addressed the fueling mishap, emphasizing the team’s need for just a small amount of additional fuel to complete the race. “For whatever reason, the second can… barely took any fuel at all,” Gayle explained, noting that a bad connection might have resulted in Hamlin receiving about four gallons less fuel than expected.
Hamlin’s performance this month has been marred by mechanical failures, including an engine blowout at Texas Motor Speedway and a mechanical issue at Kansas Speedway, where he had been in contention for a top finish. The only exception was a subpar setup during the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Reflecting on the month, Hamlin stated, “I feel good about our performance. I feel crappy about how we finish. That’s been the story of the last month, and that’s a shame.” As the season progresses, Hamlin and his team will undoubtedly be looking to convert performance into results.
