Denny Hamlin’s bid for a strong finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway was shattered in the final moments of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, as a last-corner wreck involving his 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace, took out both cars and hampered his playoff chances.
Atlanta’s reconfiguration into a semi-Superspeedway has delivered thrilling racing in the Next-Gen era, and this weekend was no different. But while the race was ultimately won by Joey Logano, who secured his spot in the Round of 12, the final laps were chaotic, especially for Hamlin.
The drama unfolded on the final restart following a caution caused by a spinning car. Joey Logano and Ross Chastain lined up on the front row, with their respective teammates behind them to provide a push. However, while the Penske duo executed the restart well, Trackhouse Racing fumbled, leading to Chastain dropping back and making contact with Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota.
Wallace was sent hard into the wall, triggering a multi-car pile-up just ahead of the finish line. Among those collected in the wreck was Hamlin, who was driving his No. 11 Toyota Camry. As a result, Hamlin tumbled down to 24th place, while Wallace finished a disappointing 29th.
The incident was a significant blow to Hamlin’s playoff hopes. Already dealing with a five-point penalty due to an engine infraction, Hamlin now finds himself just two points above the playoff cut-off line. With the next two races in the Round of 16—Watkins Glen and Bristol—considered wildcard events, the pressure is mounting on Hamlin and his team.
Hamlin’s race had already started on the wrong foot, as he was forced to start at the rear of the field due to a last-minute adjustment to his car. His goal was to salvage a decent 20-point finish, but the wreck slashed his position by nearly 10 spots, derailing his strategy for the day.
Looking ahead to Watkins Glen, Hamlin will need to be at his best to maximize his points haul. The Glen’s road course, combined with tire wear challenges, could play into Hamlin’s hands, as the veteran is one of the best in the garage when it comes to tire management. With so much at stake, all eyes will be on Hamlin to see how he navigates the pressure in the coming races.
