P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Denny Hamlin sees progress coming at his "by far weakest oval"
During the last season, Toyotas had difficulties on shorter tracks, but Hamlin managed to secure the manufacturer’s only victory on a mile-long or shorter asphalt track at fall Bristol. The team, especially Hamlin, faced challenges with speed at Phoenix Raceway, crucial for the series championship race. Hamlin’s remarkable performance at Friday’s practice lifted spirits as he ended up second-fastest in average speed, with other Toyota drivers also demonstrating strong results. The team made significant changes to improve performance on what has historically been their weakest oval track, showing promising signs of progress. The practice session also allowed teams to experience the new aero rules for this year which presented minor improvements in traffic handling, offering a potential positive shift for Sunday’s race.
