The lacking jewel: Denny Hamlin’s quest to win the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis

When NASCAR drivers speak about crown jewel races, 4 occasions stand on the high of the record: The Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Brickyard 400.

With the addition of the Indianapolis NASCAR race in 1994, the ‘Grand Slam’ grew to become a coveted achievement that solely a small handful of drivers have ever ever attained — all are champions and Corridor of Famers.

Jeff Gordon accomplished it first in 1997, after which Dale Earnhardt in 1998 after he lastly received the Daytona 500 in his twentieth try. Jimmie Johnson was subsequent in 2006, after which Kevin Harvick in 2014.

Since then, no different driver has joined that elite group. Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski are each lacking the Daytona 500 whereas buying the opposite three, and Kyle Busch was knocking on the door of it as effectively earlier than his premature passing in Might.

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Picture by: Justin Casterline / Getty Pictures

One other driver very near NASCAR’s model of the ‘Grand Slam’ is present championship chief Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing is the winningest lively driver within the Cup Collection, and has 4 victories this 12 months alone.

Amongst his many triumphs are three Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), three Southern 500s (2010, 2017, 2021), and a Coca-Cola 600 win in 2022.

However the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway eludes the motive force of the No. 11 Toyota.

This weekend will mark his 18th begin within the Brickyard 400, and whereas strong, he is by no means been actually dominant at IMS. He is led a complete of 153 laps with one pole, six high fives, and 9 high tens.

Final 12 months, Hamlin mentioned of his quest to win on the Brickyard: “Yeah, it’s powerful to say what it could imply till it truly occurs. Including one other crown jewel could be huge, after which to have had all of them swept to the place we have performed all of it. I imply actually the names are very prestigious on that record and so, it could actually imply lots to me. It will simply be one other you understand feather within the cap. I do not know what else it could carry to me aside from that simply little status, however actually, we have come shut … extremely motivated, simply want issues to go our method as soon as.”

Sadly for Hamlin, issues have but to go his method at Indy. This is a glance again of a few of Hamlin’s extra promising runs on the Brickyard, the place victory was inside attain:

2025: Missed alternative

Watch: Denny Hamlin suffers huge hit in Flip 2 throughout Cup Collection qualifying

Hamlin has by no means positioned larger than third on this race, however final 12 months was actually a case of what might have been. Hamlin was on tempo to safe pole with a blistering quick lap, however crashed on the exit of Flip 2 and needed to begin from the rear of the sphere. The crew additionally needed to go to a backup automotive. Whereas troublesome to go, he nonetheless reduce by means of the sphere and reached third place by the point the checkered flag flew. The excellent news? Hamlin did lastly get to kiss the bricks…as an proprietor, with 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace successful the race.

2020: Crash from the lead
 

This loss was particularly painful for Hamlin. He was in management and appeared to have the race in-hand with no quick strain. Kevin Harvick was about eight tenths behind and struggling to make up the distinction. However with seven laps to go, Hamlin blew a right-front tire in Flip 1 and slammed the wall in a fiery crash, dashing his hopes and ending his day.

2018: Closing restart showdown
 

Hamlin led 37 laps on this race, and was main on the ultimate restart. He acquired an amazing restart, however he was unable to get away from his closest challenger. On the penultimate lap, Brad Keselowski labored his method beneath Hamlin on the exit of Flip 2, and cleared him by means of Flip 4 proper earlier than the white flag flew.

2014: Late cost falls brief

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Picture by: Motion Sports activities Images

On the ultimate restart with 17 laps to go, Hamlin surged from sixth to 3rd within the operating order. On the backstretch, he made an aggressive three-wide transfer on Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth, however sadly, that is so far as he acquired. He merely could not run down the leaders, and Jeff Gordon drove off with a report fifth win within the Brickyard 400

2012: Began sturdy…

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Picture by: Michael C. Johnson

Hamlin earned his lone pole place within the 2012 Brickyard 400. He led up till the primary spherical of pit stops, and by no means led the race once more (past pit cease cycles) for the remainder of the day. He remained close to the entrance and completed sixth, however Hendrick Motorsports was too sturdy that day, taking three of the highest 5 positions.

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