Denny Hamlin's performance at the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium last weekend highlighted the skills and challenges inherent to the Cup Series as the 2025 season kicks off.
Hamlin secured his place in the feature race by winning his heat on Saturday night, and during the Sunday night event, he led for 28 laps. Despite this, he finished the race third, falling behind Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, who took the first and second spots. "But it’s a good first attempt," said Chris Gayle, Hamlin's new crew chief, as he discussed the team's efforts and future potential. "You’re here the first time, and I’m with a bunch of new guys... So, all of it was really good."
The relationship between Hamlin and Gayle is still developing; Gayle has taken over after Chris Gabehart moved to the role of competition director at Joe Gibbs Racing. Experiences gained during these early races will be pivotal for their success. According to Hamlin, establishing trust and communication is key. "My job is to drive the car and give them the feedback... I’m trying to give him the full free rein to do things how he sees fit as well," he noted.
While Hamlin and Gayle aim for strategic growth, not everyone was pleased with the racing behavior witnessed during the event. Hamlin expressed frustration over the aggressive efforts of his fellow competitors, which he characterized as unnecessary, especially since the Clash is traditionally a non-points exhibition race. He remarked on the Actions Detrimental podcast, "It’s always... why would you wreck for eighth place?"
Bowman Gray Stadium has garnered significant attention, known for its close-quarters racing and history as the longest-running weekly race track. This unique location often brings out aggressive driving, especially when qualifying for the main event is on the line. Hamlin elaborated on this intense mentality, stating, "There’s no, ‘Hey I got to get to fifth or else I’m not racing.’" He described how the pressure mounts leading up to the main event, which can lead to decisions drivers might not make during more routine races.
During the Last Chance Qualifier, tensions reached new heights. Hamlin's teammate Ty Gibbs, frustrated by his performance with significant car damage, retaliated against driver Justin Haley, creating controversy. Hamlin reflected on this incident, advising his younger teammate, "It’s so hard to be mentally tough... maybe find a different way to get back at them. It didn’t look great."
The aftermath of such incidents is significant. NASCAR officials may pursue disciplinary actions against Gibbs, which could affect Joe Gibbs Racing's overall strategy as they start the new season. Despite Hamlin's justification for Gibbs' actions—understanding the pressures young drivers face—he remains vocal about maintaining composure on the track.
Regarding future editions of the Clash, Hamlin offered strong opinions. He suggested NASCAR should rotate the event to keep fan interest alive. "I think you’ve probably got to keep moving it," he stated. This viewpoint stems from his belief the uniqueness of each race location keeps viewers engaged. “How are they going to adapt to it?" he queried, stressing the value of introducing new tracks to fans.
Hamlin's insights and experiences this past weekend will surely serve as catalysts for team improvement moving forward. With both Hamlin and Gayle aiming for consistency and connectivity during races, the early season will reflect how well they’ve begun to navigate their new partnership.
Overall, the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray has set the stage for what promises to be both challenging and rewarding as drivers like Denny Hamlin prepare for the Daytona 500 and the broader season. The lessons learned here will certainly shape the path for remaining races and driver dynamics as the season progresses.