Denny Hamlin gives mid-race breakdown of Michigan on 'emergency podcast'
What do you do when the race gets pushed to Monday? Listen to Denny Hamlin explain everything that has happened so far. The Michigan NASCAR Cup Series race was postponed after just 74 laps on Sunday. So, Hamlin and his co-host got together and delivered a little bit of information for fans while they wait for noon today.
If you were up late last night, then you were lucky enough to listen to it then. For the rest of us, this morning there was a surprise notification on our podcast apps. Denny Hamlin put together an “Emergency Podcast” to talk about the FireKeepers Casino 400, and who the major players are so far.
Hamlin sat and watched the race replay as he recorded. He noted the moments with Ryan Blaney. While he has a decent car, Blaney did struggle to hold his track position. We know he raced Kyle Busch hard and even made contact while defending his position. That ended Busch’s day and got a callout from Rowdy afterward.
Last week’s winner, Chris Buescher, is showing early speed. Denny Hamlin named him as one of the drivers he has his eyes on as far as winners are concerned.
“Chris Buescher was really fast,” Hamlin said on his Actions Detrimental podcast. “He’s getting really strong runs off the corner. And he’s really strong into turn 3. So like I’ve noticed many times on restarts I’m not hedging far enough left I’m trying to set myself up for a really good exit and Chris Buescher’s driving in there and getting up beside me and slowing my momentum because he’s getting way up further – he’s getting beside me when I’m not planning on him to be.”
Buescher might have it in him to win back-to-back races this weekend. However, there are other drivers that have shown speed in the early going.
Top 10
- 1
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 2New
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
- 4Hot
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
- 5
Alabama needs a prayer
Tide can make the CFP but needs help
Drivers that ‘jump off the page’ for Denny Hamlin
As Denny Hamlin looked over the data and the race replay, playing those 74 laps back in his head, he noted a few different drivers. Martin Truex Jr. and Buescher were in that group. Other drivers that Hamlin mentioned included Ty Gibbs and Bubba Wallace. As well as himself, of course.
With a handful of teams in contention, in the mind of Hamlin at least, this race is going to be very interesting. No surprise that Hamlin noted the Toyotas and a Ford. Both manufacturers have been great at this track in recent years.
“What I’m saying is, when I look at the 19, the 17, and those guys – their cars are handling really well,” Hamlin explained. “That’s what jumps off of the page. Everyone is fast down the straightaway when they get a run or they get a draft. It’s which ones are fast in the corners, those are the ones that have stuck out to me.”
And just so you know, Denny Hamlin is officially off the Chase Elliott points train, it’s a must-win with no backdoor option for Elliott and his team. There are a lot of great nuggets in the podcast, give it a listen before the race.
The FireKeepers Casino 400 continues at Noon today on USA.