Digest

Denny Hamlin reflects on his second-place finish at the NASCAR race in Texas, expressing his frustration with the outcome despite having a fast car. He attributes the result to a combination of factors, including the track's treacherous conditions, the role of luck in the race, and his own aggressive driving strategy. Hamlin details the challenges of racing on a track with a narrow racing surface, a large bump in turns three and four, and the presence of a sticky compound on the surface that makes it difficult to pass. He also discusses the importance of managing risk in such a race, particularly when it comes to pit stops and restarts. Hamlin acknowledges that he made a mistake in trying to pass Chase Elliott on the final restart, but he maintains that he was willing to take the risk to win. He also expresses his confidence in his team's speed and his belief that they will be contenders for the championship. The conversation also touches on the topic of tire allotment in NASCAR, with Hamlin revealing that teams do not receive a refund for unused tires and that JGR spent nearly a million dollars on tires that were never used in the first year of the Next Gen car. He advocates for a system that allows teams to return unused tires to Goodyear, arguing that it would be a cost-saving measure for teams and a more sustainable practice for the sport. The episode concludes with a discussion of Chase Elliott's win at Texas, which snapped a 42-race winless streak, and the impact of the victory on his confidence and championship aspirations.

Outlines

00:00:00

Texas Race Recap

This Chapter discusses Denny Hamlin's second-place finish at the NASCAR race in Texas, highlighting the track's treacherous conditions and the role of luck in the outcome. Hamlin expresses his frustration with the result despite having a fast car and details the challenges of racing on a track with a narrow racing surface, a large bump in turns three and four, and the presence of a sticky compound on the surface that makes it difficult to pass. He also discusses the importance of managing risk in such a race, particularly when it comes to pit stops and restarts.

00:00:25

Tire Allotment in NASCAR

This Chapter delves into the topic of tire allotment in NASCAR, with Denny Hamlin revealing that teams do not receive a refund for unused tires and that JGR spent nearly a million dollars on tires that were never used in the first year of the Next Gen car. He advocates for a system that allows teams to return unused tires to Goodyear, arguing that it would be a cost-saving measure for teams and a more sustainable practice for the sport.

00:00:31

Chase Elliott's Victory

This Chapter discusses Chase Elliott's win at Texas, which snapped a 42-race winless streak, and the impact of the victory on his confidence and championship aspirations. Hamlin analyzes Elliott's performance and the significance of the win for both the driver and his team.

01:04:14

Dear Danny

This Chapter features a segment called "Dear Danny," where listeners submit questions to Denny Hamlin. This week's question focuses on tire allotment in NASCAR, with the listener asking if teams typically have unused sets of tires left at the end of a weekend and if NASCAR should reduce the tire allotment. Hamlin provides insights into the tire usage practices of NASCAR teams and argues against limiting the tire allotment.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the challenges of racing on the Texas Motor Speedway?

  Denny Hamlin highlights several challenges of racing at Texas Motor Speedway, including the narrow racing surface, a large bump in turns three and four, and the presence of a sticky compound on the surface that makes it difficult to pass. He also mentions that the track's surface is treacherous, particularly in the high line, leading to numerous wrecks throughout the race.

• How does Denny Hamlin manage risk during a race?

  Hamlin emphasizes the importance of managing risk, particularly when it comes to pit stops and restarts. He explains that he needs to be aggressive enough to get back to the front but also cautious enough to avoid making mistakes that could cost him the race. He acknowledges that he made a mistake in trying to pass Chase Elliott on the final restart, but he maintains that he was willing to take the risk to win.

• Why does Denny Hamlin advocate for a system that allows teams to return unused tires to Goodyear?

  Hamlin argues that the current system, where teams do not receive a refund for unused tires, is wasteful and costly. He believes that allowing teams to return unused tires would be a cost-saving measure for teams and a more sustainable practice for the sport.

• What impact did Chase Elliott's win at Texas have on his confidence and championship aspirations?

  Denny Hamlin believes that Elliott's win, which snapped a 42-race winless streak, will boost his confidence and make him a more formidable championship contender. He highlights the significance of the win for both the driver and his team, particularly considering Elliott's previous struggles on oval tracks.

• What is the "Dear Danny" segment?

  The "Dear Danny" segment is a recurring feature on the podcast where listeners submit questions to Denny Hamlin. This week's question focuses on tire allotment in NASCAR, with the listener asking if teams typically have unused sets of tires left at the end of a weekend and if NASCAR should reduce the tire allotment.

Show Notes