[autotag]Joe Gibbs Racing[/autotag] saw both sides of success and failure at Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend. While Christopher Bell pulled off an upset to win the event, [autotag]Denny Hamlin[/autotag] and [autotag]Martin Truex Jr.[/autotag] were out of the race within a five-minute timeframe due to issues with their cars. Well, members of the NASCAR team have revealed what went wrong for Hamlin and Truex.
According to RACER.com’s Kelly Crandall, Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart said there was an “acute power steering failure at exactly the time of the downshift where he only had one hand on the wheel, and the car was really loaded up.” This means Hamlin lost power steering in the corner and was unable to turn the No. 11 car with one hand. For Hamlin, it was just bad luck and timing.
A massive turn of events.
Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. are out of the race. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/OKxk2u0SkH
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 22, 2023
For Truex, it was simply out of his control. According to Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Truex lost an engine due to a valve spring failure. Wilson took accountability for the issue as it was nothing that Truex did wrong in the No. 19 car. It was a worst-case scenario for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.
Now, Hamlin and Truex face 17-point deficits to the playoff cut-line with Ryan Blaney holding the final spot. Both drivers at Joe Gibbs Racing have seen plenty of success at Martinsville Speedway, the Round of 8 finale, but it may take a win if Blaney is good on Sunday afternoon. The NASCAR organization definitely hopes for Hamlin or Truex to make it to the Championship 4 following failures in their cars.
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