NASCAR drivers have a preference for where they feel most confident. For some, it’s the superspeedways; others like the traditional short tracks; and there are those few who excel at road course racing. Out of these racetracks, JGR driver Denny Hamlin has struggled consistently on the road course events, and it was the same story for him during last Sunday’s race at COTA.

It wasn’t the case that he didn’t have a good race car. In fact, the Toyota Camrys were superior amongst the three, but Hamlin could not churn out a good result. While he could accept his inability to perform at the road course track as it is, Instead, he decided to make the excuse that his age is a factor that limits his potential to do better at venues like COTA.

Denny Hamlin on yet another disappointing run at COTA

The No. 11 JGR car started in eighth place ahead of the race in Austin, Texas, but it was far from competing with the leading pack. Bagging the stage 2 win was perhaps the only time he led the charge of the field, but that was possible because of the pitting strategies used by leading drivers. At the end of the race, Hamlin found himself at #14, which was a big slump if you take a look at his starting position.

Jared Allen, his cohost on the show, was curious to know his reasons for not performing at the road course event race. He asked, Does age play into it?, to which Hamlin replied, “I would say it plays a factor because I can’t run in a simulator five days a week, my body will not let me do that… And when you ask is age a factor? absolutely, I mean coming off shoulder surgery, and I can’t overwork myself. My body hurts in a lot of places for a few days after the race.”

He even highlighted that, despite having speed, making a pass has just not worked for him like it usually does at ovals. “Can you even run one lap fast? I’ve been able to do that, and even my fastest lap of the race was one of the top three. I was running 18th when I was running my fastest lap. I’ve been able to do that, but it’s the consistency that I struggle with. Once I get on someone’s a*s how do I set up the passes? Things that I’m really good on ovals, it doesn’t translate to being good on the road courses.”

However, it seems like Hamlin was expecting the result given the work he had put in. Furthermore, the veteran driver explained why he refrains from investing his time and effort in road races.

Hamlin is looking at the bigger picture, despite his mediocre outing

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Having already bagged a win this season, the veteran driver has almost confirmed his playoff spot. However, to contend for the title, it is vital to have multiple winning performances under your belt in the regular season itself. Everyone knows, Hamlin thrives on short track races, and this is the reason he tones down his effort in a bid to go all out at the races where he is confident about getting the results.

“I’m taking this weekend and hauling a*s, ready to go to Richmond because we got next handful of races. My crew chief reached out to me for the next five or six races. Man, man like is our resources better spent not burning you out trying to chase another half a second on a road course? You are still gonna be another half a second off. Our resources are better spent focusing on the other tracks we know we can go win,“ Hamlin added.

While no one was expecting Denny Hamlin to emerge victorious at the COTA race, the onus will now be on him to deliver in the upcoming short-track events.

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