[autotag]Denny Hamlin[/autotag] underwent right shoulder surgery on November 22nd, 2023, which would be over two months before the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. While it is not the first official points race of the 2024 NASCAR season, it still represents the beginning. However, will Hamlin be ready to compete when February 2024 comes around?
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver talked about his status in Nashville, Tennessee, as NASCAR arrived for Champion’s Week. Based on Hamlin’s comments, there should be some concern that Joe Gibbs Racing will need to find a replacement driver for the No. 11 car.
“I thought I was going to have a three, four-week recovery like I did before,” Hamlin said. “(I) came out knowing I had a ton of damage that needed to be fixed. It will change my offseason a little bit, going from trying to work on some tracks that I have been so-so at in the simulator. That probably is just not going to happen now.”
Repost to congratulate Denny Hamlin on his NASCAR Cup Series WIN at Bristol Motor Speedway! 🗡️🏁 https://t.co/tUEShM1US8 pic.twitter.com/4h4YtChTwy
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 17, 2023
“It just changes some things and certainly, probably, the first laps on track will be whatever we do in February. Do we need to analyze (racing in) the Clash? Maybe when the time comes because from what I’ve heard, they don’t want me loading it for three months. Obviously, that timeline does not line up (with the Clash).”
If Hamlin cannot suit up for the Clash, he would have two weeks before the 2024 Daytona 500. Joe Gibbs Racing is expected to sign Chandler Smith in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, including a reserve driver role. Smith would likely compete in the No. 11 car, but Hamlin hopes to suffer no setbacks and be ready to drive in two months.
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