So far in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team for Joe Gibbs Racing have been able to capture the first victory in each round, automatically advancing them to the subsequent round. However, in the ‘Round of 8’ opener at Texas, the fate likely won’t be the same, as contact with Ryan Blaney has cut the left front tire on the Crafstman Toyota.
Contact with Ryan Blaney leads to Denny Hamlin spinning late at @TXMotorSpeedway!#NASCARPlayoffs x NBC x @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/GkEZS2n9Si
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 17, 2021
Hamlin was able to make it to pit road with all of the fenders still on the car, not causing any additional damage to the No. 11 Toyota. The contact that ultimately cut the tire on the No. 11 was between Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in the tri-oval, while racing in a three-wide situation with Kevin Harvick. Smoke was immediately pouring out of the Joe Gibbs Racing entry, but the crew elected to keep Hamlin on the track to try and ride it out.
Contact between @dennyhamlin and @Blaney!
The intensity is picking up! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/VjKWhoJleY
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 17, 2021
[…] Hamlin was involved in a pair of accidents in the final 50 laps of the race, first cutting a left rear tire after contact with Ryan Blaney on Lap 315, causing the No. 11 to spin around. Just 14 laps later, after repairing […]