Hamlin ruing what might have been in Texas

Denny Hamlin would like to have the final laps at Texas Motor Speedway to do over again so he could avoid crashing his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry.

Hamlin was battling Chase Elliott for the race lead and the win Sunday when he got loose and spun in Turn 4. The two had lined up on the front row for the restart with two laps to go, Hamlin fighting Elliott from the outside through Turns 1 and 2 and down the backstretch. Going into Turns 3 and 4, however, Hamlin’s charge began to fade, and as the Hendrick Motorsports driver started to complete the pass, Hamlin spun.

“I’m so frustrated because every single week we’re, like, going to win,” Hamlin said when reviewing the race on Actions Detrimental. “We’re so fast every single week; I think we’ve led every race this season and not like (expletive) led – happened under caution or whatever. We’re leading laps legitimate. We drive up there and we lead and we’re contending.

“So, this is a really, really fun year for me so far because every week I know I’m one of the top three guys on speed. But damn, two weeks in a row of not getting the finish we deserved, and this one’s on me for sure. And in hindsight, yeah, I should have (taken) second. But damn. I want to win. The extra five bonus points was just worth it to me. An extra sticker on the side of the car is worth it to me. Getting (win) No. 54 is worth it to me to take that chance.”