Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Hamlin aims to close championship gap to Larson one race at a time
Denny Hamlin is trying to catch Kyle Larson in the 10-race championship Chase, and five races remain.
Larson has opened the playoffs with an average finish of 2.2 and leads the title fight.
Hamlin says he cannot control how Larson’s team performs, so he must focus on his own results.
At Las Vegas last week, a pit strategy decision and a spin cost Hamlin track position and points, while Larson recovered to finish second.
Hamlin says he needs to perform better to make up the gap.
He has previously erased a 100-point deficit to Tyler Reddick during the regular season by winning races.
His immediate focus is Charlotte, where he says he will try to win.
Denny Hamlin says he will try to close the championship gap to Kyle Larson one race at a time.
Hamlin said the final five races require him to focus on his own performance and win races.
Larson opened the Chase for the Championship with a 2.2 average finish, according to Motorsport.com.
Hamlin says he cannot control what Larson’s No. 5 team does.
Hamlin previously erased a 100-point deficit to Tyler Reddick over 10 races in the regular season.
- Who
- Denny Hamlin is pursuing Kyle Larson in the championship.
- What
- Hamlin aims to close the gap by focusing on one race at a time.
- When
- The final five races of the 10-race playoff stretch.
- Where
- Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Hamlin spoke on Saturday.
- Why
- Hamlin says his team must perform better to overtake Larson’s team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The way I see it, if I win five in a row, we’re going to be the champions
I can’t win five in a row unless I win one in a row, so I have to focus on one first and go from there.
We can’t control what the 5 team does.
I can only focus on winning Charlotte and doing whatever it takes to get that done.
Hamlin lost points after a pit decision and a spin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, while Larson finished second.
Hamlin spoke at Charlotte Motor Speedway about focusing on the final five races.
- Larson's average finish
- 2.2 to open the Chase for the Championship
- Hamlin's team
- Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11
- Larson's team
- Hendrick Motorsports No. 5
- Remaining playoff races
- 5
- Hamlin's regular-season deficit comeback
- 100 points against Tyler Reddick over 10 races
Sources
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