Denny Hamlin blames ‘small sample size and bad luck’ for his R-8 elimination at Martinsville

Denny Hamlin has always been critical about the lack of sample size in playoffs.

Denny Hamlin blames ‘small sample size and bad luck’ for his R-8 elimination at Martinsville

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

Coming into the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoff, Joe Gibbs Racing’s veteran duo of Denny Hamlin and Martins Truex Jr. were expected to find their way into the championship-4 race at Phonix easily. But the duo was eliminated in the Round of Eight finale race at Martinsville after finding P3, while Ryan Blaney took home a win and a final-four spot.

Unlike Truex Jr., the most underwhelming performer in the playoff, Hamlin was poised to win his maiden title. He dominated the proceedings in the first and second rounds of the playoffs. But in the R-8, he failed to maintain the same form, and lady luck wasn’t in his aid on any occasion. The 51 times Cup race winner’s chase for the elusive title continues.

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While talking about yet another disappointing end his campaign, Hamlin admitted that he hasn’t been the luckiest guy on the field, and with the limited sample size for the finale, it is a major factor. Hamlin has always been critical about the limited number of races in the playoff while choosing the Cup champion.

We didn’t fall short on performance. We performed fine, but luck is a factor in this sport, and when you take small sample sizes to crown champions, sometimes, if the luck doesn’t fall your way, you’re going to be left out.

Hamlin said, as reported by RACER.

Denny Hamlin claims he always has been unlucky in the playoffs

The 23XI Racing co-owner, undoubtedly, is one of the all-time greats of the sport and the greatest never to win a Cup title. He is the driver with the most wins without a Cup title, ahead of Hall of Famer Mark Martin. Hamlin, with one more race left in the season, ended up in P5 in the championship.

Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)
Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)

While discussing this bad luck, they admitted that it had always been the unluckiest in the playoffs. Hamlin said that he has a team in the No:11 JGR crew that can get him a car with championship credentials.

It just seems like I’ve just been unlucky in the playoffs. I can’t remember too many years where it was, ‘Oh, we’re not good enough to be in the final four.’ There have been a few years, but not that many. We’re probably fifth in points now, probably going to finish five straight years in the top five. God, we’re doing great. I couldn’t be with a better team. It’s just I keep crapping out.

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