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Kevin Harvick sounds off on level of concern for Denny Hamlin mechanical issues before NASCAR championship

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones15 hours agobrianjones_93
Denny Hamlin
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Kevin Harvick understands Denny Hamlin‘s frustration during the Talladega race since he wants momentum heading into the NASCAR Championship 4. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick reacted to Hamlin having mechanical issues during the race on Sunday.

“They’ve had this throttle problem a few times,” Kevin Harvick said. “When you look at it, I think that’s where the frustration from Denny came from on the radio, was the fact that they’ve dealt with that particular issue. But you’ve talked about some other mechanical issues that go with that car.

“We’ve seen the brake issues that the 23XI has had. We’ve seen the brake issues that Christopher Bell had there with the rotor. The mechanical issues; there’s been a lot of them, and I think that was where the frustration has come with Denny in the power steering that he had at Kansas and all the things that have come with those reallt fast cars. They’ve had some gremlins that go along with that. But that one seems to have been multiple times, that it’s only on the 11.”

Denny Hamlin talks about his mechanical issues

Denny Hamlin’s issue with his throttle led to him finishing 24th at Talladega. The good news for the No. 11 team is that Hamlin has clinched a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race after winning at Las Vegas earlier this month.

On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin talked about the issues he has had with his No.11 Toyota. “Yeah, it’s really, really frustrating because we want our results dictated by our performance on the race track,” Hamlin said, via Motorsport.com. “Nothing would absolutely suck worse than to go to Phoenix and have a mechanical (issue) or something happen that takes away (my) opportunity to achieve (my) dream.

“We’ve had issues with batteries and starters and clutches, and lots, lots, and lots this year. I’ve had all three, and how should I word this … What if we hadn’t won (Vegas), and that was my championship hopes, and that is where my frustration lies.”

Hamlin has won a NASCAR Cup Series-leading six races this season. The victory at Las Vegas was the 60th of his career, and he’s now seeking his first Cup Series title.