Denny Hamlin joined the press following a challenging race day at EchoPark Speedway, sharing his perspective on the event and the recent success of his team. Despite a difficult race where his own finish was far from ideal, Hamlin praised the performance of his drivers and team members, especially highlighting Tyler Reddick’s victory. The win marked a significant milestone for Pinnacle, celebrating their first primary sponsorship victory at a major race venue while the presence of key stakeholders underscored the importance of the moment.
Hamlin expressed optimism, noting,
“Really happy about the results. Definitely more happy than anything this week.”
This sentiment came amid the backdrop of a superspeedway season that had been tough for his own driving outcomes, yet encouraging for his role as a team owner overseeing multiple competitive cars.
Current Standings and Team Dynamics
When asked about the strong start by Tyler Reddick and teammate Bubba Wallace—who hold the top two points positions early in the season—Hamlin reflected on their consistency and speed. He acknowledged it is still early in the year but emphasized that their results were not due to luck.
“They’re running up front. They’re fast. Again, just doing a lot of the right things,”
Hamlin stated. The team is striving to compensate for a previous year where they fell short of expected victories, marking a rebound with recent strong finishes.
Hamlin believes having multiple winning contenders within the team improves their chances significantly during races, noting,
“When the end of the race didn’t go Bubba’s way, you got another one there to pick it up.”
This depth is a strategic advantage as the season progresses.
Building 23XI Racing into a Consistent Contender
The discussion turned to the development of 23XI Racing’s reputation within the sport. With two of the past three major races won by Hamlin’s drivers—including Bubba Wallace’s triumph at the Brickyard—the question arose whether 23XI should now be considered alongside the top racing teams. Hamlin counseled patience, stating the organization still has
“many wins and championships away from that,”
though he acknowledged their steady progress in creating cars capable of consistently competing at the front.
Hamlin highlighted the remarkable growth of the team, which started from scratch six years ago, emphasizing how exceptional it is to achieve such results against established giants in the sport.
Significance of Recent Wins for Team Momentum
The 11th victory for 23XI Racing symbolized an important moment for the entire organization. Hamlin explained how early wins, like Tyler’s recent victory at Daytona, help drivers approach subsequent races with a freer mindset after previous setbacks. This psychological boost allows them to race without the pressure of chasing their first win, leading to more confident and aggressive driving.
He described how Tyler’s resilience was evident despite damage from an earlier wreck,
“He comes out. His car is damaged, and he just starts shooting the middle again like his car is fine.”
This attitude reflects a driver who feels unburdened and willing to take risks.
With Bubba sitting second in the points, Hamlin noted the positive start offers a mental advantage for both drivers, as they monitor the standings closely from week to week, contrasting with past years when the chase for rankings developed later in the season. Momentum, Hamlin stated,
“is a big thing in this sport. Sometimes when you get it going, it’s hard to stop.”
Assessing the Damage and Driving Strategies
Following Tyler Reddick’s win, questions arose about the condition of his car, which sustained significant damage, notably missing a front fender. Hamlin explained the peculiar effect of aerodynamics in NASCAR superspeedway races, saying that losing a fender can sometimes impact airflow in unexpected ways. Drivers have previously been able to succeed even with damaged cars if they are drafting behind competitors, though leading with such damage is much more difficult.
He suggested the real challenge was that the drag created by the missing fender likely hindered Tyler’s ability to break away from the cars trailing him on the final lap, impacting his strategy and performance. Hamlin concluded that this likely helped control the race dynamics, preventing opponents from mounting a late surge.
Referencing the frequent wrecks at EchoPark Speedway, Hamlin remarked on the chaotic nature of the track by calling it “carnage city,” noting the regular sight of damaged vehicles in Victory Lane.
Learning from Race Outcomes and Decision Making Under Pressure
In response to questions about Bubba Wallace’s race finish and his reflection on mistakes, Hamlin described the unpredictable environment of superspeedway racing. He remarked,
“If you knew where every car was going to go, then you would always make the right move, but you just don’t know when you pull up in front of a line what that line — how that line is going to react.”
Hamlin discussed the tactical decisions made in the final laps, explaining how teammates Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were expected to challenge each other fiercely for position, with the 45 car (Wallace) committed to staying close to the 23 car (Reddick). He noted that Bubba, controlling lane choices effectively for much of the race, likely tried to leverage that advantage rather than risk side-by-side racing.
“People just become a little more desperate. They shoot gaps,”
Hamlin said, emphasizing the constant learning curve. Despite the result, he praised Bubba’s overall skill, saying Bubba ranks among the top superspeedway drivers, proving himself consistently across races.
Tyler Reddick’s Future and Team Confidence
Regarding Tyler Reddick’s contract status and the potential interest from other teams following his recent successes, Hamlin was unequivocal about Reddick’s talent and long-term prospects with 23XI Racing.
“We picked him out many, many years ago for that reason,”
he said, affirming confidence in Reddick’s ability and future within the team.
Incident Involving Hamlin and Reddick Explored
Hamlin addressed a late-race incident where he spun and partially damaged Reddick’s car. Although he had not yet reviewed footage, he described feeling squeezed by another car and losing control of his steering wheel, which led to contact.
“I just remember in the moment thinking I was out of room up there,”
Hamlin recounted, noting the need to review the incident further before fully assessing the situation.
This moment encapsulated the tension and split-second decisions characteristic of superspeedway racing, where space is limited and accidents can occur quickly.
Implications for 23XI Racing and the Season Ahead
The insights shared by Denny Hamlin underscore a pivotal period for 23XI Racing as they build momentum and establish themselves as serious contenders within NASCAR’s competitive landscape. Early success from drivers like Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace places the organization in a strong position heading into the remainder of the season.
Hamlin’s reflections reveal not only the challenges faced during difficult race days but also the resilience and strategic depth that underpin the team’s progress. As the season unfolds, maintaining this momentum and continuing to leverage multiple competitive cars will be crucial for sustained success and possible championship contention.
