Denny Hamlin Rallies Confidence: No Weak Tracks for Joe Gibbs Racing as Playoffs Heat Up!
In a bold declaration that sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, Denny Hamlin asserted that Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is primed for success with no weak tracks on the horizon as the playoff race intensifies. After overcoming a rocky start to the season, Hamlin insists that the team is now finely tuned and ready to seize opportunities, claiming they have a legitimate “shot to win” in every upcoming race.
Sitting at the pinnacle of the playoff standings following a stellar victory at the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway, Hamlin is riding high. Not only did he secure a win, but he also claimed pole position for the second week in a row, showcasing his dominance. While Hamlin’s past struggles on road courses and super speedways have raised eyebrows—often finishing mid-pack—there’s a silver lining: a commendable fourth-place finish at the Chicago Street race. On the other hand, Hamlin has thrived on short tracks and intermediates, racking up consecutive wins at Martinsville and Darlington.
Addressing the media at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin was quick to respond to Kyle Larson’s comments regarding JGR’s track dominance. “I feel as though that the Gibbs team in general doesn’t have a weak track, but we had weak performances earlier in the year,” he stated emphatically. Reflecting on the bleak moments, he noted, “If you look at Las Vegas, I don’t think any of our cars were fast at that race. I can think of maybe one or two other races earlier in the season where we all kind of struggled, and they were typically tracks where we were pretty strong.”
However, the tides have turned. Hamlin revealed that the team has made critical adjustments, stating, “I think we’ve identified some of the philosophies that we did that weren’t exactly right. So now, yeah, certainly every weekend we go there, one of the Gibbs cars should be in the top three or so in speed and have a shot to win.” This newfound confidence is palpable as Hamlin prepares for Round 3 of the playoffs—starting sixth at Bristol, just behind the defending champion, Kyle Larson.
But the challenges don’t stop there. Goodyear has introduced a new set of softer right-side tires for the 500-lap showdown at Bristol, a strategy aimed at combating the notorious lack of tire falloff on the high-banked oval. “So there’s been no tire test. We’re all coming in this pretty cold, and so certainly feel like there’s an opportunity there to create comers and goers,” Hamlin explained, heightening the anticipation for what’s to come this Saturday.
Fans will remember the spring race at Bristol, where Larson led a staggering 411 laps, leaving Hamlin to battle his way to a hard-fought second place—a finish that denied him a chance at a hat-trick of wins. With the Bass Pro Shops Night Race set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, all eyes will be on Hamlin as he strives to convert his confidence into another triumphant performance.
As the stakes rise, will Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing prove their mettle against the challenges ahead? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the playoff race has never been more electrifying!
