As good as he is, Hamlin just has no luck during the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He was reminded of that last weekend at Charlotte, and he heads for Sunday’s race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup wondering if his jinx will continue.
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Hamlin enters the Hollywood Casino 400 in eighth place after one race in the Round of 12 in the Chase. The only luck that came Hamlin’s way at Charlotte was the misfortune of four other drivers. So Hamlin has a three-point lead over Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott, with Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano below them.
That’s pressure.
Hamlin is philosophical about his plight, as he noted after an engine failure at Charlotte.
“It’s just my time and it’s usually Chase time when I have these things happen,” Hamlin said. “Tough break, obviously. Had a good car and we’ll have to go to Kansas and get a good run there and do everything we can to advance.”
After all, this is a familiar happenstance.
MORE: Big problems at Charlotte | Where Chase drivers stand
Last year, for example, he was second at Charlotte and fourth at Kansas — before a crash at Talladega left his 37th and out of the Chase.
“I’ve been doing this 11 years and I can’t name anyone else who has had as bad of luck as I have in the Chase, but it’s just part of it and it’s part of racing,” Hamlin said. “You have to have every piece of the puzzle just perfect to win these championships and this is just a hiccup. Luckily some other guys had some bad days and we’re not out of it.”
Weather won’t be a problem — glory be — at Kansas. Given Hamlin’s luck, however, a twister could appear at any second.
Here’s the Kansas entry list. Chase drivers in bold.
