**Stuck Throttle Compromises Hamlin's Championship Hopes in Martinsville**

Denny Hamlin's pursuit of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series title faced a significant setback during practice at Martinsville. After setting the fastest time early, an unexpected throttle issue caused his car to spin and crash into the outside wall at high speed.

Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, reported a stuck throttle on his radio, expressing his frustration as significant damage was done to the car's rear clip. The NASCAR veteran managed to drive the damaged vehicle back to the garage, visibly upset as he climbed out and slammed his helmet on the car's roof.

The problem originated from a chunk of rubber lodged in the throttle body, Hamlin explained later. This incident follows closely on the heels of Hamlin’s near-win at Homestead, leaving him 18 points below the cut-line as he entered Martinsville, making his path to the final four even more challenging.

Due to the damage, Hamlin will miss qualifying and start from the rear of the field. At a track like Martinsville, known for its difficulty in overtaking and high rate of lapping, beginning from the back is a severe disadvantage for Sunday’s race. Despite the team's efforts to repair the primary car using the crash cart, Hamlin’s chances appear dim.

"The car was phenomenal," Hamlin said, reflecting on the moments before the crash, "We had just made a change that seemed perfect." This latest setback mirrors the obstacles that have plagued Hamlin in previous years. He was the first driver to miss the final four in both 2022 and 2023, and despite being the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Series history without a championship, he's struggled to break through to claim the coveted title.

With the necessity to win on Sunday looming unless something unexpected happens to the leading Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Hamlin’s road to the championship has become significantly more arduous.