Denny Hamlin admits he got “too greedy” at Michigan after poor finish

Denny Hamlin started from pole position but had an abysmal race afterwards.

Denny Hamlin admits he got “too greedy” at Michigan after poor finish

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

Denny Hamlin was the prime candidate for the win at Michigan after starting from pole. 23XI’s Tyler Reddick started alongside him on the front row. However, his race soon plummetted towards the deep end of a well as in a bid to secure a stage win, he had a collision which ultimatley led him to settle in ninth place as he later revealed that he got too greedy.

Michigan has been a fairly successful track for Denny Hamlin. The 43-year-old has had two wins and an array of podiums around the two-mile speedway. He was given the pole position at Michigan this year as qualifying was washed out and helped him gain the upper hand over the field. Subsequently, after the race started, Hamlin retained the lead and was heading the field as Stage one was set to end.

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Yeah, I just got too greedy. You know I am trying to do this whole regular season thing and damn points racing and I'm trying to win the stage because that's at least one point that I can leave the weekend with.
Denny Hamlin said on his podcast

However, he was being indirectly “ambushed my multiple drivers” and unfortunately had an aero issue while attempting a overtake on Bubba Wallace. He then later revealed in his podcast that he became too greedy as he wanted to make a charge for the regular season championship. Moreover, each point counts towards the championship, and with this mindset he took the fight for the stage win which ultimately costed him the chance to finsh in the podium by the end of the race.

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Denny Hamlin reveals the dilemma of being a driver and team owner

While the Toyota driver had to settle for a ninth place result, his team, 23XI Racing won the race at the hands of Tyler Reddick. This led to a change in the veteran driver’s mood as his dissapointment soon changed into excitement.

Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick
Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)

Reflecting up on the various emotions he felt at the finish line, Hamlin revealed the difficult part of being both a driver and a team owner. He admitted that such days are a norm in the sport and that he would have to deal with them but many others would like to face the crux that the 43-year-old faces every few weekends.

The crux of being a team owner and a driver is that you know you’re going to have to deal with the days that they beat you.
Denny Hamlin said in the post-race interview

As it stands, only two races remain before the commencement of the playoffs. Thus, the JGR driver would like overturn the 28 points deficit in the regular season championship and make a bid for the top spot as he currently stands third in the championship.

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