Denny Hamlin and his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, are gearing up to take an aggressive approach in the second round of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, determined to bounce back after a shaky first round. Despite starting the season strong and carrying high expectations for a championship run, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran faced an unexpected performance slump as the playoffs approached, nearly costing him a spot in the Round of 12.
Hamlin’s playoff campaign got off to a rocky start with disappointing finishes at Atlanta and Watkins Glen, leaving him on the brink of elimination. A crucial P4 finish at Bristol saved his season, but it served as a wake-up call for the No. 11 team. As they head into the Round of 12, Hamlin and Gabehart are vowing to adopt a more aggressive strategy at Talladega, the Charlotte Roval, and Kansas — a trio of tracks that present a mix of unpredictability and high-stakes racing.
Hamlin emphasized that the chaotic nature of Talladega and the Roval, combined with Kansas’ unique challenges, makes the Round of 12 feel more like a final battle for survival. He knows that playing it safe isn’t an option if he wants to avoid another heartbreaking early playoff exit. “We can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the first round,” Hamlin said. “If we don’t deliver, it could be an easy elimination.”
Gabehart echoed Hamlin’s sentiments, highlighting Talladega as a key concern. The team’s previous strategy of laying back and waiting for wrecks hasn’t paid off in the Next-Gen era, especially on unpredictable superspeedways. Instead, the No. 11 team plans to take calculated risks, pushing the car harder and positioning themselves closer to the front throughout the race to control their own destiny.
The message from Hamlin and Gabehart is clear: holding back and waiting for opportunities is no longer an option. They are fully committed to going on the offensive, using every trick in their playbook to claw their way through the playoffs. With a renewed focus and a win-or-bust mentality, Hamlin is ready to take on the challenges of the Round of 12 head-on, knowing that anything less could end his championship hopes.
