Denny Hamlin Achieves Milestone Finish at Nashville
In a noteworthy performance at the Nashville Superspeedway, Denny Hamlin secured a third-place finish, matching NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon for the best finish by a driver in their 700th career start. This achievement places Hamlin among a select group, being just the 22nd driver to reach this milestone.
Despite battling challenging conditions, including an inoperative air hose that led to elevated cockpit temperatures, Hamlin managed to lead 79 laps and won Stage 1. "It was hot," Hamlin stated post-race, explaining his struggle without a cooling shirt. He ran with his visor up to cope with the heat while attempting to close in on race leader Ryan Blaney and runner-up Carson Hocevar.
Hamlin’s race strategy focused on tire management, explaining, "Our best strategy was to go long and either catch a caution or have another caution come." He pointed out a notable shift in track conditions during the final laps, which made passing exceptionally difficult. "It was like ice up there," he remarked, highlighting the challenge of racing in the upper lanes as dust accumulation hindered grip.
Interestingly, Hamlin’s participation was uncertain leading up to the event, as he and partner Jordan Fish were expecting the birth of their third child. Fortunately, Hamlin was able to complete the race and celebrate both personal and professional achievements.
Ryan Blaney took the victory, further solidifying Team Penske’s competitive edge this season.
