With 34 laps to go, the inexperienced flag waved for what could be the ultimate restart of the 2026 Brickyard 400.
Denny Hamlin, making his 18th begin within the race, held the lead with Corey Heim to his exterior. The part-time 23XI Racing driver surged forward of Hamlin, clearing him into Flip 1, however Hamlin bought again beneath him by diving tremendous low within the quick chute approaching Flip 2.
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Heim put Hamlin the place to both elevate or collide and his boss backed off, however that (and a shallow entry) price the Joe Gibbs Racing driver dearly, as he had no momentum on the exit of Flip 2. Hamlin was swarmed on the backstretch and shortly dropped to fifth, the place he remained for the remainder of the race.
Whereas most had been targeted on the second with Hamlin and Heim, the veteran driver blamed the loss on what occurred a couple of seconds earlier than that.
No pusher
Watch: Combined feelings for Hamlin after Indy P5 end
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“Yeah, everyone seems to be attempting to struggle to win the race. Once you’re clear by an inch, you are going to take that inch,” stated Hamlin in protection of Heim.
“It is actually extra on us and the 20 [Christopher Bell] and the 19 [Chase Briscoe] of simply not orchestrating good pushes there. We got here indifferent on the improper time. I assumed the 20 clearly was on board with getting us the push. It was method too early earlier than the restart zone. I can not go until we get to the restart zone. He stated that Briscoe was on him method, method early or laying again, one of many two.
“Yeah, that is the way you lose ’em. These restarts, when everybody form of is aware of when you are going to go, it is concerning the pushes. That is basically the place I bought the lead from the 67 the restart earlier than. Simply got here again the opposite method round. I, perhaps, was in there only a hair into flip two. He shut the door. I imply, yeah, everybody’s combating for an enormous Brickyard victory.”
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It is clear on the replay that whereas Logano gave Heim a mighty shove on the restart, the three JGR vehicles on the underside had been all disconnected, leaving Hamlin with no reply to the surface run.
Profitable as an proprietor, dropping as a driverDenny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
, whereas additionally dropping out on the one crown jewel win he has but to safe as a driver. Heim has signed a deal to drive for 23XI full-time in 2027, however even earlier than his official rookie season, the rising star already has a number of Cup wins.
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“It is earned on their facet and it is on us as a group on the opposite facet,” stated Hamlin about balancing the feelings after the race. “I do not know. I am certain perhaps I might have performed one thing totally different on the restart with the timing of it. Man, simply getting a shove so early simply did not permit me to get my automotive straight earlier than taking off. Logano actually timed the bump to the 67.
“I do not know what we do totally different. We’re a part of circumstances the place the within line did not get organized. Actually happy with 23XI total. That part-time effort that Bootie and Corey is placing collectively, most occasions they’re on the racetrack, they’re our quickest automotive. They’re doing a heck of a job. Positively a well-deserved victory.”
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