Denny Hamlin Reveals Startling Weight Loss After Gateway
· Yahoo Sports
Denny Hamlin maintained the points lead in the NASCAR Cup Series following the second race of the Chase last Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway. En route to a ninth-place finish in the Enjoy Illinois 300, the race took its toll on the driver of the No. 11’s body.
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In a startling revelation, Hamlin revealed on the recent episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast that he believes he lost over 15 pounds due to excessive sweating in the car. The race was a grueling one that saw 18 cautions flags and nearly reach the four-hour mark, making it the longest Cup race at Gateway in its short history.
Denny Hamlin details massive weight loss at Gateway
As Hamlin conducted post-race interviews on pit road at Gateway, it was evident he was feeling the effects of the lengthy race. The 45-year-old was drenched in sweat and his voice was hoarse.
One day later, Hamlin was sitting in his podcast studio and said his weight was yet to be back to where it was prior to the Gateway Cup race.
“I’m actually still eight pounds down right now than what I was at this time yesterday and think about all the waters I’ve taken in. My guess, rough guess, is I probably lost 13 [pounds],” Hamlin said.
Because Hamlin was still minus over eight pounds of his normal weight, he estimated his total loss was substantially greater.
“If I’m 8.1 [pounds] low, my guess is I more than likely lost well, well over 15 to 16 pounds of sweat,” Hamlin said.
In the race car, Hamlin did not feel ill in any way. Yet, the 64-time Cup Series winner cited nagging cramps in every body part on the flight home to Charlotte.
“Whatever part of my body I moved, cramped instantly. Calf, foot, if I moved my arm up, my shoulder would cramp — I must’ve just been severely dehydrated. I didn’t feel bad in the car. I truthfully did not feel bad at all. Even when I got out,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin said humidity at Gateway led to huge weight loss
Humidity is what Hamlin pointed to as the cause of the increase in sweating that led to the massive weight loss. Oftentimes, Hamlin said he hardly breaks a sweat during races.
That was not the case on Sunday.
“Humidity makes me sweat far more than what I’m accustomed to sweating. Because you’ll see me after some races. I’m perfectly dry, no sweat. Not yesterday,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin noticed a startling difference in his face when doing post-race interviews. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver also cited a stomach problem and believes an overload of electrolytes was the cause.
“I could see it in my face. It looked like I had holes in my cheeks. … I admit, I didn’t look well, for sure. I was kinda sick to my stomach as well. My guess is that was just the loading of the electrolytes on an empty stomach,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin enters Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race with a nine-point lead over Kyle Larson. He is seeking his first Cup championship in his 21st season.