'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Denny Hamlin, a 19-year veteran driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, is having a hard time in the playoffs. He finished in 23rd place at Go Bowling at the Glen last Sunday. The #11 Toyota Camry driver is in 13th place in the playoff standings. He is not out of the playoffs but faces a tough situation as NASCAR heads to the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is presently on the bubble along with Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Harrison Burton. The #11 driver is six points short of a place in the top 12 for the playoff's next phase. Hamlin had an impressive record with three wins, twelve top 10s, and nine top 5 finishes before the playoff races and was in sixth place in the standings.
The #11 driver has been facing major setbacks since the beginning of the playoffs this season. At Atlanta Motor Speedway, he finished in 24th place, earning only 13 points. Even at the Glen, things didn't change for the Toyota driver. He finished in 23rd place, securing a mere 15 points.
Trending
During the 47th lap, Hamlin got involved in an accident with Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski, sending him to the wall. This incident spun out the #11 driver and caused serious damage to his car. Hamlin also missed a lap while the car was undergoing repairs, costing him playoff points.
The Bristol race is the only option for Hamlin to secure his place in the top 12 to continue in the playoff race. Hamlin needs to win the race or score enough points that leave him ahead of Ty Gibbs or Chase Briscoe in the standings.
Denny Hamlin all set to race at Bristol Motor Speedway
Denny Hamlin has previously won four races at Bristol Motor Speedway, including the last two. In an interview with Dustin Long, the #11 Toyota driver highlighted that the playoffs are not "over yet."
In a post-race interview at Watkins Glen, Hamlin said:
"It's not over till the end of Bristol and obviously, we're going at a track we know how to perform. I'm really proud of the effort that they have ruined. (Ran) mid-30s all day long and then finished 23rd there due to some attrition and a good late restart" [via NBC].
In an interview with QC News, Hamlin said:
"I feel like we can go there and win. We are going to an oval, back to a normal track. We can control our own destiny there."
The Toyota driver reflected on the tough race at the Glens and said:
"Great effort to keep us in it. Obviously, the car is just destroyed. To finish 23rd, I guess is a positive. We were in a worse place that mostly all day and luckily, we had some attrition at the end that helped us out" [via NASCAR].
Four drivers will be laid off from the field after the next race. To secure his spot in the playoffs Denny Hamlin will be competing with the drivers on the bubble. It'll be intriguing to watch the #11 driver at Bristol as he aims to continue in the playoffs.
