Dale Jarrett has given his take on Denny Hamlin’s career and the lingering question that has haunted NASCAR fans for years: Will Hamlin ever win a Cup championship? As the 2024 season hurtles towards its finale, Hamlin, who started the year as a championship favorite with three impressive victories, finds himself once again fighting to break the title drought that has defined his career.
Hamlin, who managed to survive the chaotic Round of 16 and Round of 12, now faces an uphill battle in the Round of 8, where he must deliver nothing short of his best performance to have a shot at the elusive Cup championship. Despite being counted out by some in favor of more consistent contenders like Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick, Hamlin is still very much in the fight.
But according to Jarrett, the notion that Hamlin is racing in desperation mode—clinging to what many believe is his last chance for a title—is far from the truth.
Jarrett, a former NASCAR Cup champion who has been in Hamlin’s shoes before, firmly believes that the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran isn’t feeling the pressure the way some might think.
“Certainly, a lot of people would look at it that maybe Denny might be in a desperation mode. I will assure you, he’s not that. Denny is not sitting there thinking if I don’t get this done this year, then there’s not going to be another chance,” Jarrett explained. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Jarrett also dismissed the idea that 2024 is Hamlin’s “now or never” moment. He highlighted Hamlin’s continued strength and competitiveness, suggesting that the No. 11 driver will have more opportunities in the coming seasons.
“Denny is right there, too. He certainly is not going to drive until he is 51 like I did, but he does have a couple more good years around him and can get it done,” Jarrett said, implying that the window for Hamlin is still wide open.
Despite being regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, Denny Hamlin currently holds the unfortunate title of the “winningest driver without a championship.” Jarrett drew parallels between Hamlin and other NASCAR legends who amassed career-defining victories but never managed to capture the championship.
“Unfortunately, there’s been a lot of great race drivers that have come through the ranks and never got that moment that they could win a championship,” Jarrett added. “Denny is the perfect example. Winning big races. Jeff Burton is on this call. He won big, big races. Came close to winning a championship, but it just didn’t happen.”
As the 2024 season reaches its climax, Hamlin is still in the mix. According to Jarrett, it’s all about execution on the track. The speed is there, the talent is undeniable, and the opportunity hasn’t disappeared. Hamlin has the chance to shed the label that’s followed him his entire career and finally join the elite group of Cup champions.
But with NASCAR’s highly competitive field, Hamlin will need to be perfect from here on out. The clock is ticking, but for now, Jarrett insists that Hamlin isn’t running out of time just yet. Will 2024 be the year he finally grabs the brass ring? Only time will tell.
