After a difficult offseason for Denny Hamlin, the driver of the #11 returned to form in the Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday night, February 4. In a race that saw 17 cautions, Hamlin brought his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota home to a fifth-place finish.
The effort comes following a tough offseason for the 60-time Cup Series winner as he tragically lost his dad, Dennis, last December. Hamlin also re-tore his left shoulder over the offseason, something he announced to the media on Wednesday.
Denny Hamlin’s Mindset After Strong Clash Performance: ‘Time to Lock in’
Denny Hamlin overcame a lap 144 spinout, which also involved Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson, to secure a fifth-place finish in the #11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota.
Following the checkered flag, Hamlin spoke to Motorsport reporter Matt Weaver about his early-race struggles, making it known that the “rust” was real. However, he told Weaver he felt himself getting better as the race progressed.
“As it started drying out there, we started getting a lot better. I know I was getting better. … Just got better, so it was a good warm-up. Overall, just a decent warm-up. Now, it’s time to lock in,” Hamlin said.
For a portion of the second half of Wednesday night’s race, sleet began to fall down onto Bowman Gray Stadium, which resulted in the teams switching to Goodyear’s wet-weather tires.
Hamlin spoke highly to Weaver about the wet-weather tires as he said they’re a great tire on a dry surface, adding that it creates great falloff.
Last year’s championship runner-up went on to say he hopes Goodyear continues to push for softer tires at the short tracks in the future.
“I know Goodyear is working their way there. They came here with a softer left side than they did last year. To just continue to push the envelope as much as their equipment will let them to continue to get these tires softer and softer. Truthfully, the best short-track tire we have, in my opinion, is the wet tire,” Hamlin said.
Denny Hamlin Opened up About Re-Torn Shoulder Prior to Clash
Denny Hamlin’s day didn’t start on the racetrack on Wednesday, but in the media center. Prior to wheeling his way to a top-five finish in the Cook Out Clash, the 45-year-old broke the news that he re-tore his right shoulder.
Hamlin had surgery on his shoulder prior to the 2024 season and didn’t end up missing a race. Now, after the reaggravation, Hamlin plans to “tough it out” and hold off another surgery until after the 2026 season.
“I got some unfortunate news that I re-tore my shoulder that I had from 2024, so I’m going to have to go the rest of the season the way I was before there. I don’t think it ever healed properly. Just noticed some issues,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin said the shoulder had been “nagging” him after the season ended, then slipped at his mom’s house when going through the rubble following the family’s tragic house fire.
It was then Hamlin went to get it re-scanned, and it was confirmed he re-tore his shoulder. Despite that, Hamlin plans on racing the entirety of the 2026 season.
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