Why is Denny Hamlin forced to start at the rear for Martinsville playoff race?

Denny Hamlin's chances of advancing to next week's Championship 4 race have gotten even more difficult than before. In Saturday's practice session for the Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, the driver of the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota hit the outside wall in turns three and four, causing significant damage and forcing him to start Sunday's race from the rear.

The Virginia native slammed into the outside retaining wall and stated on the in-car radio moments later that his throttle got stuck. The incident caused major damage to the right rear of his #11 FedEx machine.

It was earlier feared that he would need to use a backup car, but now it has been revealed that the team will be able to repair his car. He will still start the race from the back of the grid as he will not be able to set a qualifying lap on Saturday. Joe Gibbs Racing provided an update on its driver via X following the incident, writing:

"Denny Hamlin was evaluated and released from the infield care center."

The practice crash was critical for the three-time Daytona 500 champion in regard to the Cup Series playoffs. Hamlin entered this weekend at Martinsville, the final race of the Round of 8, 18 points below the cut line to advance to the Championship 4. Now starting at the rear of the field for Sunday's 500-lap race, Hamlin is at a bigger disadvantage than he already was.

Only two spots remain in the Championship 4. Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick secured positions in next week's title race with victories at Las Vegas and Homestead-Miami, respectively. Christopher Bell and William Byron, meanwhile, hold the final two spots by virtue of points. Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott are all below the cut-off looking in ahead of Sunday's Round of 8 finale.

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Denny Hamlin narrowly missed out on a win last week at Homestead-Miami

Regarding the playoffs, the Martinsville practice crash wouldn't have been as major of a blow to Denny Hamlin had he sealed the deal on a victory last weekend at Homestead-Miami to guarantee himself a spot in the Championship 4. Unfortunately for the Toyota driver, he came up short in the closing laps.

Hamlin had the lead with two laps remaining in last Sunday's 267-lap event, but was passed by Ryan Blaney for the top spot, who was then passed by Tyler Reddick for the victory.

"Blaney was able to work at the bottom of the racetrack better than I was, and that was key to him getting the position over me," Denny Hamlin said to reporters (via Frontstretch).

Hamlin is seeking his first Cup Series championship, something that's eluded him over his 19-year career. He last made it to the Championship 4 in 2021 but finished third among the title drivers.