NASCAR CUP SERIES: FREEWAY INSURANCE 500

October 18, 2026

Denny Hamlin

Pit Lane Interview

Q. It all went way south with the tire going down. Did you have any warning?

DENNY HAMLIN: No, just a corner before I felt the car bottom out. I knew at that point definitely had a tire. At that point trying to hang on and somehow try to get to pit road. Obviously had no idea where I was on speed with the right rear tire on it.

Q. Throughout the day, how much fight was there in the 11 car?

DENNY HAMLIN: The beginning was not great, and once we got back in traffic, I thought the second half of the race we were really strong. Could contend for the win. Just right there with the 19 when the tire blew for third.

Definitely not ideal. But, yeah, what can you do?

Q. The 5 is a rough day. 31 points behind the lead going to the head-scratcher Talladega. How do you feel?

DENNY HAMLIN: I mean, I feel like just need, when we got a good car, like the second half of the race today, to finish well. We just haven't finished.