After missing out on wins in the opening races, Denny Hamlin entered the playoffs riding the strength of four wins. Wins at Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, and Dover guaranteed his spot in the postseason early, giving him a rare luxury few drivers can claim. But as co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin also watched his two drivers, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, battle for their own playoff fates. Wallace did his part by clinching a win at the Brickyard (finally), locking himself in. That left Reddick on the bubble, hanging in for dear life through the regular season’s final thrillers. And then came Daytona, the final race of the regular season.

In a dramatic shift, Reddick and Alex Bowman both suffered crashes in Stage 1. Reddick lucked out and kept the car alive, while Bowman’s

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