By Aaron Burns

Denny Hamlin’s quest for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship almost took a big hit Thursday.

Hamlin’s car took the hit instead.

Hamlin, a driver for Huntersville-based Joe Gibbs Racing, crashed during testing for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. His No. 11 Toyota blew a right-front tire and careened into the outside wall.

Hamlin was checked and released from the infield care center, but returned later to be re-evaluated. Track staff cleared Hamlin to race Sunday.

The accident comes on the heels of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crash during a test at Kansas in August. Earnhardt sustained concussions in that wreck and one at Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 7. He’s sidelined for the second straight race this weekend.

Hamlin ranks third in Chase for the Sprint Cup standings entering Kansas.

Brad Keselowski leads the standings by seven points over Jimmie Johnson.