For Rick Hendrick\u2019s fold, the Talladega episode was one to forget. On lap 52, a multi-car wreck collected Chase Elliott\u2019s race car<\/a>, which ended up scoring just one point. Then, on the final overtime restart of the Yellawood 500, William Byron and Kyle Larson controlled both lanes. Suddenly, Larson ran out of fuel and allowed Chase Briscoe to slip through. As the field approached the finish line, Byron got spun from inside the top five, losing roughly 20 spots. Yet Denny Hamlin has hopes for Hendrick\u2019s fold.<\/p>\n In a recent episode of \u2018Actions Detrimental\u2019<\/a>, co-host Jared Allen asked which driver would surprise Denny Hamlin the least with a Martinsville win. \u201cThe easy answer is Ryan Blaney because he\u2019s done it before,\u201d Hamlin said, alluding to the Team Penske driver\u2019s last two seasons\u2019 trophies. However, the driver who would not surprise Hamlin at all is Rick Hendrick\u2019s stars. \u201cWho am I least surprised? Blaney. Who would I not be surprised? Byron and Elliott,\u201d Hamlin said.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n via Imago<\/p>\n DARLINGTON, SC \u2013 MAY 14: Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Throwback Chevrolet pits during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC.<\/p>\n William Byron<\/a> is currently 36 points below the elimination cutline, and Chase Elliott is 62 points out. Technically, both are in must-win situations heading into Martinsville. Yet Hamlin has high hopes for them, even though they are up against former Cup champions Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney. \u201cI think William has the potential to go sit on the pole and dominate the race and you know it becomes execution at that point. But then I put Chase Elliott right at A, 1A, 1B.\u201d Hamlin continued, \u201cI know that\u2019s not the answer you\u2019re looking for, but I\u2019m telling you, three of the favorites are freaking fifth, seventh, and eighth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Denny Hamlin dissected the possibilities of the outliers. At the same time, he rang alarm bells about two competitors above the cutline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n![\"article-image\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/imago1029878902h.jpg\")
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