Denny Hamlin blames “poor short run” for Homestead loss to Tyler Reddick

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin seems really disappointed with the lack of short run speed costing him a win at Homestead.

Denny Hamlin blames “poor short run” for Homestead loss to Tyler Reddick

Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)

Coming into the NASCAR Cup playoff race at Homestead Miami, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin and his 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick, needed either win or maximize their point tally to make into the championship-4. The duo had an impressive race on Sunday that saw them in the title fight for victory alongside Ryan Blaney in the last two laps.

Denny Hamlin had the lead with just two laps left in the race, but he wasn’t fast enough to stop Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick taking the lead. Later to the No:45 Toyota won the race overtaking No:12 Ford in the final corner, while the No:11 TRD driver just drove behind seeing the duel. While talking about the loss, Hamlin admitted that his poor short run form was the reason for the loss.

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Well, I’m not really sure. I try to cover all lanes but just couldn’t quite get off the corner as good as I needed to there on that short run. And um, short run wasn’t my specialty all day obviously. But either way, you know, controlling the race two to go, you got to try to find a way to finish it and uh, just didn’t.

Denny Hamlin said at Homestead.

While further talking about the race, Hamlin asserted that Chris Gabehart and the No:11 crew gave him everything to be in the fight for the race win, but failed to make the final move. But he is determined to keep fighting for a finale qualification with Martinsville being the cutoff race.

Yeah, I mean, I want to be faster on the shorter run but it’s just, you know, a lot of it is what we build into the car and things like that. But [crew chief] Chris [Gabehart] gave me everything I needed there to try to race them. Just didn’t get it done. I mean, yeah, it’s another opportunity and certainly you’re not out of it until they throw the checkered flag at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin’s driver Tyler Reddick celebrates the victory

While Hamlin is sulking over the loss, while his driver Tyler Reddick is celebrating his maiden championship-4 entry.  Talking about the win Reddick pointed out that he was in a disadvantage on the last lap with the tier deficit and pointed out that he executed almost perfectly to survive the situation and the land the win.

Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)
Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)

We were backed in a corner, man. We had no other choice. I know we were on a tire deficit. Here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, that’s a death sentence. I don’t care. We did what it took to win this race. We’re fighting for a championship.

Tyler Reddick said.

With the finale entry, Tyler Reddick has proved yet again why many see him as the next big thing in the sport and he can leave a massive legacy by winning the championship, considering the legal battle over charters. It will be interesting to see if Reddick can take the next-step and win the 2024 title.