Denny Hamlin is all set to get yet another win at the “hotter and slicker” Richmond track where won last spring

NASCAR Cup Series teams will hit the track running at Richmond Raceway, for a second time this season, and though the last outing at the track had one of the poorest racing performances of the season the fans will be hoping to see intense racing this time around. With just three more races left this regular season and the last two being road courses it will be important for some teams to secure the all-important win if they want to enter the playoffs.

The Toyota contingent has been the most improved and impressive group in recent months and going into Richmond they will have more confidence with them as the track historically has been good for the teams. Joe Gibbs Racing and 23X1 Racing, the two TRD teams on the cup grid will be hoping to see their winless drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Bubba Wallace get the win that can secure their playoff spots.

Another driver that will be a talking point going into the cup race at Richmond will be Denny Hamlin who won at the same track last spring, his first win of the two in 2022, in a car that wasn’t the best ride of the day. The race output was completely based on the tire strategy by the JGR team which had actually hindered the racing product. Going into the track Denny Hamlin will be hoping to secure the win he has missed after the Coco-Cola 600 win to set himself up for playoffs.

Also read: Kimi Raikkonen gears up for his first NASCAR race after almost a decade

Find out what Denny Hamlin said about his Richmond Raceway outing

Denny Hamlin acknowledged that the No:11 team has been definitely looking forward to the Richmond race as it has been a strong track for both him and JGR over the years. He pointed out that though he won the race in spring he didn’t have the best car and added that this time around they have an improved ride going into the Richmond track.

“We’re definitely looking forward to going to Richmond. It has been a strong track for me and really Joe Gibbs Racing as a whole for a long time. In the spring, obviously, we won the race, but by no means did we have the best car. So, I’m cautiously optimistic about where we stand there based on the improvements we have made since that time,” Denny Hamlin said.

Denny Hamlin went on to say that one of the other variables that will be the main thing that is going to matter in the track will be the temperature at the track. He pointed out that racing at noon compared to the usual racing under the light in September will make the race hotter and slicker.

“Another variable that is going to be a lot different is just how hot it’s going to be. We’re used to racing under the lights in September, so it’s a little bit cooler. This time, racing on Sunday afternoon in August is going to make it hotter and slicker,” Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin’s tension going into this week’s race is not just constrained to his or teammate Martin Truex Jr’s performance he will be more worried about how Bubba Wallace is going to perform on Sunday. Though Wallace has been in top form in the last four races the co-owner of 23X1 Racing, who just extended their contract win, Bubba, for multiple years, will be wanting to see his employee racing him in the post-season races.

Will a JGR driver be able to secure the win at Richmond?

Also read: “It’s the same things that happen to it as normal cars,” Kimi Raikkonen is ready to take home “good results,” on his cup debut at Watkins Glen

Also read: Federated Auto Parts 400: NASCAR Richmond cup race when and where to watch? How to watch live?

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW