Denny Hamlin captured the recent All‑Star Race at Dover, a performance that briefly lifted the veteran’s spirits after a season marked by recurring restart difficulties.
The Restart Challenge
Despite the victory, Hamlin has openly admitted that his weakness lies in restarts, a flaw that has already cost him at least two wins and a championship in the previous year.
At Kansas, he led for 131 laps before a late caution forced a pit stop, and a poor restart on the final lap saw him slip behind Kyle Larson, costing a potential win.
A similar scenario unfolded at Texas, where an early lead evaporated after a late caution and an ineffective restart, allowing Tyler Reddick to take the checkered flag.
The NextGen era has seen Hamlin achieve three consecutive victories at the same track, underscoring his ability to dominate when the car and conditions align.
Nevertheless, Hamlin remains confident about his trajectory, noting that the past 20 races represent his strongest stretch to date, and that his regular‑season points now sit significantly higher than last year, giving him a strategic edge in the newly structured Chase.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed relief as the driver’s improved performance signals a rebound, even as the team continues to focus on refining restart techniques and short‑run speed.