Denny Hamlin experienced back-to-back DNFs (Did Not Finish) for the first time since 2013, ending a streak of 424 races without consecutive DNFs—third-best behind Kevin Harvick (643) and Dale Earnhardt (also 424).
Last week in Texas, his race ended due to a mechanical fire. This week at Kansas, another mechanical issue took him out—this time a clutch malfunction that eventually damaged the transaxle.
Discussing the issue on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin admitted confusion about the failure. “I’ve never had this happen before,” he said. “The clutch just lost all its throw and got rock hard. It wouldn’t engage at all.
Despite having two wins this season, Hamlin has dropped to seventh in the standings. Speaking to FOX Sports after the Kansas race, he added, “I probably broke the transaxle trying to leave the pit stall. It’s disappointing—we were fast again, but things just aren’t coming together for us right now.
