Denny Hamlin encountered a major obstacle on Saturday during the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, putting significant strain on his chances for Sunday’s Brickyard 400. Despite being fastest in practice and a favorite to win, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota lost control exiting turn 2, resulting in a severe collision that prevented him from posting a qualifying time.
Details of the Incident and Its Immediate Consequences
As the final car on the track in qualifying, Hamlin’s vehicle slid after hitting the outside wall, spun through the grass, and then crashed hard into the inside wall. Although Hamlin was able to exit the car uninjured, the damage forced his team to shift to a backup car. Consequently, the 58-time Cup Series winner will start Sunday’s race at the back of the pack in 39th position.
Teammate and Toyota Drivers Dominate Qualifying
Meanwhile, Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe achieved the pole position for the race, helping Toyota sweep the top five qualifying spots. Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing will join Briscoe on the front row, setting up strong Toyota representation at the front when the race begins shortly after 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Upcoming Race Coverage and Context
The Brickyard 400 will be broadcast on TNT, alongside radio coverage from the IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This event remains one of the key races in the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, making Hamlin’s recovery and performance from the back critical to watch.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. Since then, he’s achieved 51 wins in the Cup Series. Hamlin also won the Daytona 500 three times, picking up victories in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Throughout his career, he has earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. As a child, she loved dancing, which led her to join the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats dance team. The basketball team is now called the Charlotte Hornets. She first met Hamlin during one of her dance performances at a Bobcats game.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. The Factors Contributing to Denny Hamlin’s $65M Wealth: He earned over $100 million from his NASCAR career. He has endorsements with FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. Hamlin also co-owns 23XI Racing, a team worth over $100 million.