Denny Hamlin stood tallest when the checkered flag flew in Michigan and notched up his 57th career Cup Series victory in commanding fashion. While Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron controlled most of the race and Michigan native Carson Hocevar put on a gutsy home-track performance, it was Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota that made it to the victory lane after 200 laps.
And once the celebrations ended, the 44-year-old returned to the studio for another episode of his podcast, “Actions Detrimental.” That’s when his co-host hit with a behind-the-scenes question fans rarely get to hear: “Which crew member gives the best signal for when to leave the pit box?”
Interestingly, the driver’s answer wasn’t what most expected, because the cue didn’t come from a person at all.
Denny Hamlin’s Unconventional but Effective Pit Cue Method Revealed
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where fractions of a second can decide races, pit stop precision is everything. For Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Hamlin, decades of experience competing in the top division have sharpened his instincts and streamlined his communication with the crew. But during the latest episode of his super-popular podcast, the driver revealed a surprisingly simple secret behind his lightning-fast pit exits: his rear-view camera.
“Well, for us, it’s the fueler when he nods, that’s the quickest thing you know versus Chris Gayle seeing the nod then keying his radio, getting it to me like that’s milliseconds, right?” he revealed.
The JGR ace went on to reveal how he maximizes the capabilities of the rear camera fitted in today’s Next-Gen cars. “It’s time, so I just try to look and see, and I can see in my camera, you know, the bubbles coming up through the vent of the can, so when I kind of see that, I’m checking out,” he added.
With the introduction of the Gen-7 platform in 2021, NASCAR replaced traditional reflective rear-view mirrors with high-definition digital displays similar to those found in modern production cars and trucks. This offered drivers a clearer, more reliable view of the action behind them. The camera is mounted on top of the car, while the display is right in front of the driver on the dashboard.
That said, Hamlin’s use of the rear-view camera is more than just a clever hack; it’s a testament to how elite drivers are embracing modern technology to find every possible advantage on race day. In a sport where pit stops are already a high-speed ballet of precision and timing, innovations like digital mirrors and cameras are transforming those critical seconds into opportunities for separation.