Despite his established track record, Denny Hamlin has a long-standing aversion to road course races. This might come as a surprise, especially when considering Hamlin’s impressive career, which spans over two decades and boasts 54 victories. However, his record on road courses reveals a single win, which he secured in 2016 at Watkins Glen. Now, as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Hamlin faces a daunting challenge.
It’s noteworthy that Watkins Glen has been an outlier in Hamlin’s road course history. His #11 team has consistently performed well at ‘The Glen,’ contributing to six of his 15 top-five finishes on road courses. Yet, COTA has been a tough nut to crack for Hamlin, who has never finished better than 14th place.
This year, the stakes are higher as the course layout at COTA has changed. The original 3.41-mile track has been trimmed down to 2.4 miles. The long straightaways have been replaced with sharp left turns, creating an unfamiliar landscape for the seasoned racers. Despite this, Hamlin, along with his new crew chief Chris Gayle, is determined to make the most out of the race.
In a pre-race interview, Hamlin candidly acknowledged the challenges facing him and Gayle. “This is the first week where me and Gayle are trying to work on the car. And truthfully, he’s still handicapped when he’s with me here at a road course. So, I’m trying to do the best I can to give him the best information possible,” Hamlin said.
Following COTA, the Cup Series will move to Phoenix, a track that Hamlin is more comfortable with. However, the #11 driver remains optimistic about the revamped COTA course. He is particularly enthusiastic about the similarities it shares with Watkins Glen, including its length and increased laps.
Hamlin’s optimism extends beyond his own race. His drivers, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, have secured the top two starting positions, adding to the intrigue of the upcoming race. Reddick, a COTA veteran with an impressive record, is looking forward to sharing the front row with Wallace. Wallace, on the other hand, is relishing the challenge of his best starting position on this track.
In conclusion, the NASCAR Cup Series at COTA promises to be a thrilling event. As Hamlin confronts his road course demons, his team and fans remain hopeful that this could be his year. Despite the challenges, the #11 team’s spirit remains unbroken, and they are eager to prove their mettle on the revamped COTA track.
