Denny Hamlin attempted to practice early with the first group on the Chicago street circuit, but his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota soon encountered trouble. Before he could complete any flying laps, the car started smoking, leaked oil, and eventually spun out. Although Hamlin avoided hitting anything, the internal damage was severe enough to end his practice session prematurely.
“We want to control things as drivers,” Hamlin told TNT Sports. “We want to influence the outcome, and you don’t want mechanical failures stopping that. Especially on a track like this, reputation matters. We spend so many hours practicing and preparing.”
Unfortunately, this setback isn’t new for Hamlin during the 2025 season. He already experienced similar mechanical problems that resulted in Did Not Finish (DNF) outcomes at Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway, including a near-flame incident at Texas. Chicago hasn’t been kind to Hamlin in the past either; despite starting from the pole in 2023, he was wrecked on the second lap but later managed to finish 11th. Last year, he placed 30th under a difficult day for the No. 11 car. With practice time cut short Saturday, Hamlin will have to start at the back of the grid in Sunday’s main race, facing a tough challenge on a complex street course.
Fan Take: This development is significant for NASCAR fans because Denny Hamlin is a top competitor, and repeated mechanical issues not only impact his season but also test the resilience of a leading team. His struggles highlight the unpredictability and technical demands of street course racing, adding an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the sport.
