Denny Hamlin Battles COTA Challenge, Eyes Bigger Gains Despite Road Course Struggles
Denny Hamlin has long been a force on NASCAR’s oval tracks, but road courses like Circuit of The Americas (COTA) have often presented a unique challenge for the veteran driver. As the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team heads to Austin, Texas, Hamlin remains determined to make significant strides, even though road courses haven’t historically been his strongest suit.
Hamlin’s Road Course Struggles
Hamlin has built a Hall of Fame-worthy career with his dominance on traditional oval circuits, but success on road courses has often eluded him. While he has one road course victory (Watkins Glen in 2016), his performance at COTA since NASCAR added it to the schedule in 2021 has been inconsistent. His best finish at the Texas road course was 14th in 2023, highlighting the uphill battle he faces.
Hamlin has been vocal about his struggles on road courses, often attributing them to braking inconsistencies and the technical challenges these tracks present. Unlike ovals, where drafting and strategic pit stops play key roles, road courses demand precise cornering, braking control, and elevation adaptability—areas where Hamlin has worked to improve.
Optimism for Growth
Despite past struggles, Hamlin remains optimistic about making gains at COTA. His Joe Gibbs Racing team has made strides in improving their road course program, and Hamlin himself has committed to refining his technique.
“The biggest thing for me is just continuing to work on my braking zones and getting off the corners clean,” Hamlin said recently. “COTA is such a technical track, and if you don’t hit your marks perfectly, you lose a ton of time. But I feel like we’ve made progress, and I’m looking forward to seeing where we stack up.”
Hamlin has also leaned on his teammate Martin Truex Jr., one of NASCAR’s most proficient road course racers, for advice. Truex’s success on road courses has been a blueprint for improvement within the JGR camp, and Hamlin hopes that studying his approach will yield better results.
COTA Challenge: A Test of Adaptability
COTA, with its mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, presents a different challenge than traditional road courses like Sonoma or Watkins Glen. The track, originally designed for Formula 1, requires a balance between aggression and patience—something Hamlin is still fine-tuning.
One major factor that could impact Hamlin’s performance is the Next Gen car’s continued evolution. Last year, several teams, including JGR, struggled to find the right road course setup. However, with more data and experience, Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, is confident they can put together a competitive package.
“We’ve been working hard to make these cars more adaptable on road courses,” Gabehart said. “Denny’s been putting in the work, and we believe we can make a step forward.”
Bigger Goals on the Horizon
While Hamlin would love to secure a strong finish at COTA, his ultimate focus remains on the bigger picture: the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Road course success isn’t necessarily a requirement for championship contention, but every point matters in the regular season.
For Hamlin, improving on road courses isn’t just about getting better at COTA—it’s about becoming a more well-rounded driver. With five road courses on the 2024 schedule, strong performances could play a pivotal role in his title chase.
“I know we’re not expected to dominate these tracks, but we’re going to keep chipping away at it,” Hamlin said. “If we can get a top 10, that’s a win for us, and if we keep improving, who knows? Maybe we’ll be in the mix for something bigger.”
As Hamlin and the No. 11 team prepare for COTA, the challenge is clear, but so is their determination. While road course victories may not come easily, every lap is an opportunity for growth—and in NASCAR, adaptability is often the key to long-term success.
