CHICAGO — Denny Hamlin turned adversity into opportunity at the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on Sunday, charging from the rear of the field to a fourth-place finish at the Chicago Street Course.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, piloting the No. 11 Toyota, overcame an engine failure in practice that forced him to start last, showcasing his skill and strategy on the demanding 2.2-mile street circuit.
The setback occurred Saturday when Hamlin’s engine “blew out” during his warm-up lap, halting practice and sending him to the back for the race. Crew chief Chris Gayle opted for a one-stop strategy, banking on track position and fuel conservation to climb the order. Hamlin, known for struggles on road courses in the Next Gen era, delivered a masterclass, methodically advancing through the 40-car field. By the final stage, he was in the top five, finishing behind winner Shane van Gisbergen, Ty Gibbs, and Tyler Reddick. His fourth-place result marked just his second top-10 in 19 Next Gen road course starts.
Hamlin credited his team’s preparation, telling reporters his No. 11 Toyota had “real pace” despite older tires late in the race. “I would’ve loved to race the 54 and 88 head-to-head,” he said, referencing Gibbs and van Gisbergen. The result was a bright spot for Hamlin, who sits fourth in points with three wins in 2025, including Michigan in June. His performance also advanced him to the third round of the In-Season Challenge, set for Sonoma next week.
The race, won by van Gisbergen for his second Chicago victory, saw Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney claim Stages 1 and 2, respectively. Seven cautions, including a Lap 3 pileup and a late crash by Cody Ware, shaped the event. Hamlin’s clean drive avoided the chaos, leveraging cautions to gain positions. His Chicago effort, following a 24th-place finish in the 2025 Daytona 500, underscored his resilience amid a season balancing racing and fatherhood.
With Sonoma looming, Hamlin’s rally signals growing road course confidence. The 57-time Cup winner, still chasing a championship, proved he remains a contender, turning a potential disaster into a top-5 showcase of skill and strategy.
NASCAR was put on blast for some questionable safety calls on Sunday, in case you missed it.
Denny Hamlin, ladies and gentlemen.
