A Pit Stop That Cost More Than Seconds
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 car rolled into Richmond Raceway with a chance to tighten his grip on the Cup Series lead, but the race unfolded as a test of resilience rather than domination.
A malfunctioning jack on the left side forced the crew into a costly stop, adding roughly ten seconds to the lap and compounding the deficit.
Despite a blistering final stretch that saw Hamlin claw back positions, the team’s restarts lagged behind those of Joey Logano and Chase Briscoe, limiting his ability to challenge for the win.
The finish left Hamlin fourth, but the points gap remains sizable, giving him a comfortable cushion as the season’s final stretch approaches.
With two races left before the Chase, the No. 11 crew is focused on refining pit strategy and restart performance, aiming to translate strong adjustments into a championship‑contending run.