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Denny Hamlin feels that the drivers' meetings that take place before each Cup Series race are just charades meant only for the VIPs. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver explained that the interactive session does not serve as a source of information for the drivers.
The drivers' meetings, held a few hours before the race, are meant to be a gateway for the drivers to revisit the rules and regulations for the upcoming event. However, according to Hamlin, nobody brings up the rules regarding what is out of bounds at the front stretch chicane. JGR driver said in the latest episode of his podcast.
"I had at least six or seven ask me, 'Hey, did they clarify what the rule was?' So, we did not know. They didn't address it (during the driver's meeting). No one ever (asks) questions anymore." (56:30)
Hamlin continued reflecting on the drivers' meetings
"It's a charade, it's just for the VIPs,There's not one driver listening to that video that they play (during the drivers' meeting)."
NASCAR brought about changes to the curbing of the front stretch chicane following complaints from several drivers ahead of last Sunday's race. The 4-inch, blue rumble strips along Turn 16 at the ROVAL were replaced with 2.25-inch tall, red-and-white strips.
The original rule states that any driver who crosses the blue rumble strips will be deemed "missing or shortcutting" a corner. However, the drivers were not sure how to approach the red-and-white strips, given that they were significantly shorter than the blue ones.
NASCAR insider names Denny Hamlin as a force to reckon with in the Round of 8
Collecting 24 points on the way to a P14 finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin advanced to the Round of 8. As of now, Hamlin sits 8 points below the cutline. His next race is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20th.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic regards Denny Hamlin as one of the top seeds for the Round of 8 opener. According to the veteran journalist, the #11 driver could contend for the win in the next three races. Bianchi said in the latest episode of The Teardown.
"I look at these next three races...they (the No. 11 JGR team) survived the chaos of the last two rounds with all of these tracks that are all unwieldy, circumstantial in some cases, and the next three tracks are very straightforward. Las Vegas is a traditional mile and a half racetrack, they go to Homestead and then Martinsville. He’s great at all three of these tracks, like legit very good."
Bianchi added:
"They have speed, and they don’t have to worry about drafting strategy or anything like that. They don’t have to worry about navigating a road course which Denny will tell you is not his forte and he had to do it in the last two rounds. Like, there’s none of that,"
Throughout a career spanning almost two decades, Denny Hamlin has amassed 54 Cup Series wins, including multiple victories in crown jewel events like the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Daytona 500.
What Hamlin looks forward to winning now is his first Championship title. Will he finally win this year? One can only speculate for now.
