Denny Hamlin put Toyota’s late season issues into perspective as he wrapped up the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season.
During the NASCAR Playoffs, Toyota faced a myriad of mechanical issues, from Hamlin’s broken steering, to Martin Truex Jr.’s blown engine, and it was all capped off by Christopher Bell’s blown brake rotor in the Championship 4 finale.
During the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained why he believes the issues were a coincidence, and not part of a more major problem.
“I think it was more of a coincidence than anything,” Hamlin said, regarding Toyota’s mechanical failures down the stretch. “The two things don’t even remotely relate, with my steering issue, and then (Truex’s engine and Bell’s brake rotor). It’s coincidence still. Because they’re al different. But it’s certainly played a role, in the last three races.
“So I think that, it’s certainly not ideal. I don’t know personally whether that was a setup issue with the No. 20, or a driver, too much brake issue. I don’t know. But if it blows a rotor out, then it’s too hot. It got too hot somehow, someway.”
As for how Bell’s brake rotor went haywire, Hamlin had a few theories for how it might’ve ended his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate’s afternoon
“Usually it’s the front of the car is taped off too much. So they’re not having enough air cooling it. But I heard them mention that the No. 20 was wide open on that,” added Hamlin. “I think even TV mentioned that the openings were wide open on the No. 20 car. So then it could be, what would be the next thing is that, a lot of right front brake bias, or something. Who knows. There could be a lot of different factors into it.
“It could be set up, it could be break package. A lot of things. Either way, blown rotors come from too much heat, so there’s not too much hidden there.”
Nevertheless, Hamlin recognized Bell had a monumental opportunity in front of him, and it’s a shame how it all worked out.
“So you know, it certainly was a bad break for C-Bell,” stated Hamlin. “He’s doing everything that he can. He’s making his way towards the front. He’s kind of following the No. 12’s footsteps, a little bit through the field. … But I think the best car of the day won the race.
“Well they didn’t win the race — they won the championship, of the best four cars. Really, for the first time since we did it at Homestead, we had a new winner win the race, who wasn’t a part of the final four.”
Toyota will try again next season, looking to capture a NASCAR title, but the way the 2023 season came to a close certainly stings for the manufacturer, and their drivers.