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Denny Hamlin Crashes in Practice at Martinsville Due to Stuck Throttle, Faces Uphill Battle in No. 11

Nov 2, 2024, 05:59 PM

Denny Hamlin experienced a significant crash during NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. The incident occurred when a large chunk of rubber got lodged in the throttle body of his No. 11 Toyota, causing the throttle to stick and sending the car into the wall at Turn 3. Hamlin, who was leading the practice session at the time, sustained heavy damage to the rear of his car. Despite the crash, Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing team has decided to repair the primary car rather than switch to a backup. This setback means Hamlin will start at the back of the field for the elimination race on Sunday, significantly impacting his chances of advancing in the NASCAR Playoffs. Hamlin acknowledged that his chances of making it through on points are over and that he must win the race to advance.