Denny Hamlin is no stranger to the harsh realities of competitive racing. The NASCAR veteran was recently forced to confront a regrettable moment from his past following a defeat reminiscent of an earlier experience. This time around, it wasn’t Kevin Harvick inducing a bitter taste of déjà vu, but Hamlin’s own teammate, Christopher Bell.
In the 2019 New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Hamlin had a showdown with Harvick, a fierce competitor known for his refusal to surrender even an inch of track. In the wake of his victory, Harvick revealed his stern resolve: either win the race or leave on a tow truck. Hamlin was left with the sour taste of second place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301.
Fast forward to 2025 at the Shriners Children’s 500, and Hamlin was hit with a wave of familiarity. The race culminated in a historic three-peat victory for Christopher Bell, who narrowly beat Hamlin by a heart-stopping 0.049 seconds at Phoenix Raceway. Hamlin, who chose the outside lane against Bell, could not help but relive his 2019 duel with Harvick.
“I wish I would just do things differently in the moment,” Hamlin lamented, recounting his battle with Harvick at New Hampshire. He confessed that the similarities between the two races were uncannily alike.
The Shriners Children’s 500 saw Bell capitalizing on Hamlin’s high line into the final corner. In a daring maneuver, Bell challenged his teammate, forcing him to lose momentum and ultimately securing a slim 0.049-second lead at the finish line. This outcome eerily mirrored Hamlin’s 2019 encounter with Harvick on another 1-mile circuit.
In spite of the bitter déjà vu, Hamlin maintained a positive demeanor during post-race interviews. He expressed his desire for a fair duel with Bell, mirroring his sentiments about his clash with Harvick.
While Hamlin grapples with the haunting similarity of his losses at Phoenix and New Hampshire, another narrative involving him is unfolding within the NASCAR community. This time, it’s not Hamlin the racer but Hamlin the team owner who is in the spotlight.
Despite a winless season both as a driver and a team owner as of yet, Hamlin still harbors hope. His driver from 23XI Racing, Tyler Reddick, has displayed potential with two podium finishes, one in Daytona and the other in COTA. However, 23XI Racing is bracing for turbulence as they face a pending lawsuit from NASCAR, which could potentially divert their focus and resources.
In a shocking turn of events, NASCAR has accused Curtis Polk, a key member of the 23XI fold and manager to Michael Jordan, of conspiracy. Court documents allege that Polk, 23XI, and Front Row attempted to interfere with NASCAR’s media rights negotiations to extract better terms under the 2025 Charter.
Despite the grave allegations, Hamlin expressed complete faith in Polk, praising him as one of the “most respected businessmen in all of sports”. As the lawsuit heads towards a trial scheduled for December this year, the future of NASCAR and Hamlin’s team hangs in the balance. The question remains: What lies ahead for Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing?
