“Just don’t wanna get burned,” said Denny Hamlin on his podcast following a blown engine that ruined his race at Texas Motor Speedway. His comments reflected a larger issue that the Next-Gen car has faced recently, as Ryan Blaney’s multiple blown engines this year have compounded concerns over the car’s reliability in the long run. However, as the Series moves to Kansas Motor Speedway, it seems like Toyota has won over Hamlin despite last week’s woes.

With its wide racing surface and multiple grooves, Kansas rewards bold moves and punishes mistakes, making it a favorite for both drivers and fans. From Jeff Gordon’s inaugural win in 2001 to the infamous Kenseth-Logano feud that ignited here in 2015, the 1.5-mile tri-oval has been the stage for some of NASCAR’s most iconic showdowns. This time, the spotlight will be on Denny Hamlin, who’s no stranger to Kansas glory. Coming off a rough weekend at Texas, will Denny Hamlin pick up his third trophy of the year at a track he has mastered in the past? Well, the mood seems to be up in the Toyota camp.

Denny Hamlin remains optimistic

During the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas, Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota suffered a sudden engine failure on Lap 75. As a result, it erupted in flames as he entered Turn 1. Black smoke poured from the car as Hamlin slid through Turns 1 and 2, bringing his race to an early end. He managed to stop the car, exit safely, and was evaluated and released from the infield care center. But the dramatic fire snapped his 21-race lead-lap finish streak. So what was Hamlin’s mood after practice in his revived Toyota this weekend?

After practice, Hamlin spoke to Prime for an update on how his car felt, and he was buzzing! Denny said, “Pretty happy with the progressive Toyota. Not a whole lot of complaints, truthfully. We did get a bit alarmed there with some of the guys losing some tires, so after 25, we called it. But, pretty happy with it. Didn’t look like really we have any issues. So, I will take this balance tomorrow and we’ll see what we’ve got.” 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s #11 will roll off 14th for Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway after clocking a lap of 29.633 seconds in qualifying. While not a front-row start, Hamlin’s confidence remains high, especially given his track record at Kansas. Hamlin is one of the most consistent and successful drivers at Kansas in the modern era. The numbers speak for themselves. He has four career wins and seven consecutive top-10 finishes at this 1.5-mile oval. And his optimism is well-founded, not just for his own #11 team.

Two Toyotas, Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick, qualified third and fourth. While not on pole, the results show the manufacturer’s strength in the heart of the Midwest. In the Next-Gen era, among drivers who have run multiple races at Kansas, three of the top-5 who have led the most laps are Toyotas! Christopher Bell is second with 194 laps led, just behind Chevrolet’s Kyle Larson, who has led 276. Denny Hamlin and retired Martin Truex Jr. make up the third and fifth spots, leading over 100 laps with Alex Bowman sandwiched in between.

However, Kansas is more about merely leading laps. With the multi-groove racing, drivers can take more liberty with mashing the gas, which adds an interesting layer of strategy. The Speedway demands a dynamic driving style and sharp strategy. With its progressive banking and high grip, drivers constantly search for the fastest lane, often shifting lines mid-corner to maximize speed and tire life.

Denny highlighted the importance of execution over outright speed: “Everyone’s on the gas so much, especially on the mile and a halves,” Hamlin said. Drivers like Carson Hocevar will be in the limelight as he is also running the Truck Series race on Saturday ahead of his Cup outing. And given Hocevar’s love for mashing the gas, expect to see him pounce on any passing opportunities.

However, ahead of one of the most anticipated races, practice provided a grim outlook, one that Hamlin highlighted earlier in his interview.

Trending

1

FOX Broadcaster Gets Teary Eyed, Publicly Disclosing Emotional Moment as Call Mounts Against Jamie Little

2

Kyle Larson Net Worth in 2025 – Salary With Hendrick Motorsports and Career Earnings

3

NASCAR Rumor: Fans Drooling As Richard Petty’s Partner (Almost) Confirms American Manufacturer’s Return

4

Joey Logano Net Worth in 2025 – Salary With Team Penske and Career Earnings

5

Kyle Busch Snags a Nearly $2 Billion Sponsor as RCR Prepares for Damage Control

Five teams struggle with tire failures in Kansas practice

Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series practice at Kansas Speedway was anything but routine. Five teams were hit by unexpected tire issues that disrupted preparations for the AdventHealth 400. The session, split into two 25-minute groups, saw a rash of flat rear tires. Drivers and teams scrambled to diagnose the cause and adjust their setups for Sunday’s race.

Ty Gibbs, despite topping the speed charts with a blistering 29.976-second lap (180.144 mph), was among those affected. He suffered a left-rear tire failure. He wasn’t alone! Shane van Gisbergen, Brad Keselowski, and Chase Briscoe all experienced left-rear tire problems. Similarly, Zane Smith’s No. 38 Ford suffered a right-rear failure. This sent him into the wall. Smith’s incident was particularly notable, as his team had adjusted tire pressures after seeing earlier failures, only to be caught out themselves!

Goodyear brought a new left-side tire compound to Kansas, aiming to increase wear and lap time fall-off. This combination had previously been used at Las Vegas, Homestead, Darlington, and Texas without similar widespread issues. However, teams at Kansas appeared to be pushing the limits of low air pressure to maximize grip, possibly contributing to the spate of failures. Brad Keselowski explained, “We’re just all pushing the cars to the limit. I didn’t think we were going to be that close, but we’ll work on it and get it better for Sunday”.

The tire drama forced several teams to cut practice short, prioritizing caution over additional laps. As Sunday’s race approaches, the paddock is left wondering. Will these tire issues resurface under race conditions? Or will teams and Goodyear find the right balance in time? Let us know in the comments!