“Such a Big Turnaround!” Denny Hamlin Refuses to Bemoan North Wilkesboro Loss to Joey Logano

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin found himself close to securing his fifth win of the 2026 season that would have helped to hi secure a massive points lead over Tyler Reddick at P2. But his ex-teammate Joey Logano had other plans, as the Ford driver produced a clinical run to secure his maiden win of the season.

The No:22 Team Penske driver was so dominant on the day that Hamlin couldn’t help himself from commenting them. On his post-race interview, he admitted that he lost to a crew that was at the peak on the day and asserted that he did everything he could do to give them a proper fight, but the Ford had the short as well as long-run speed advantage.

You just have to compliment them on a great day and a great drive. They were really good. There were a lot of times when I felt like my car was kind of close to where it needed to be, and just a smidge off. It was a great battle. At least I could keep him honest there, but he had a lot of speed, and he never really gave up on the short run or the long run.

Denny Hamlin said after the race.

Further talking about the point, Denny Hamlin highlighted how he was happy and content with the No:11 despite the disappointment, as they were able to challenge for the race win unlike that last race they ran at the venue. He was also happy with the fact that he has extended the championship led to 68, with just five more races left in the regular season.

So, a great job by our whole Progressive team to keep us in the ball game. But we’ll have to regroup… I really feel great about our day, though. Such a big turnaround from what we were here last year, and this Toyota was just one spot short.

Denny Hamlin added via RACER.com.

Denny Hamlin’s teammates have similar mixed feelings about the result  

The veteran’s teammate Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs have similar feelings about the race, as they finished P3 and P4 respectively behind the Ford. They also failed to get to the three times champion despite having their teammates races beside them.

For the No:19 Toyota Camry driver Chase Briscoe, it was a confidence boosting event and he is now hopeful that he can soon secure his second win of the year in the upcoming road course event. He feels the team needs to make one small change to get back to winning ways.

There’s a lot of short tracks coming up – we have to step our game up. We’re good, we just need to be that little bit better to where we’re at on the mile-and-a-halves. See what we got and hopefully capitalize on the intermediate and see what we’ve got on the short tracks.

Chase Briscoe said.

It was a productive day for the No:54 driver Gibbs as well, with his only regret being not as fast as his two teammates. If he was a bit faster, all three could’ve made a better offensive attack on the NO;22 Ford of Logano.

I wish I could have gotten up there and raced with my teammates and those guys. It would have been fun. I think we would have put on a great show. Maybe if we were up there everyone would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Ty Gibbs asserted.

Overall, North Wilkesboro produced an impressive and entraining event, making a strong case for a return in the 2027 schedule. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the track and the racers in the coming days.

Also Read: Joey Logano Ecstatic After “Wildly Impressive” North Wilkesboro Triumph