Things are not going well for Denny Hamlin to start the Cracker Barrel 400. Hamlin started on pole after qualifying was rained out on Saturday, and he had control of the start. However, the 11 car jumped before the restart zone, and NASCAR had to throw the penalty.
Looking at the replay on Prime Video, it wasn’t particularly close. Denny Hamlin clearly jumped the start, and he had to serve a pass-through penalty as a result. While Hamlin did not immediately go a lap down, he found himself in dead last after leaving pit road.
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To his credit, Denny kept quiet on the radio, didn’t overreact, and got back out on the track after his penalty and raced. He hung around near the rear, but was able to stay on the lead lap going into the competition caution at Lap 35. NASCAR wanted to have the caution so teams wouldn’t be thrown off by tire wear on a green track after the rain.
Hamlin is still in this, he has to work much harder now, though. It has been a really good season early on for Hamlin. His speed is perhaps the best of anyone else in the series lately. Execution and closing out the end of races have been his Achilles heel, though.
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Nashville Superspeedway is a unique challenge. Passing is very difficult at the track without a little bit of clean air. Marred in the back of the field, Hamlin is going to have to get creative. There appears to be a brake rotor issue among a few Chevy teams. If that continues, cautions will give Hamlin a chance to move up through the field without having to do it on the track.
Toyota was very strong in practice on Saturday. Hamlin has a long way to go in this race if he wants to get back to the front.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
