Denny Hamlin is gearing up for a pivotal moment in his playoff run as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the final Round of 16 race. Hamlin currently sits 13th in the standings, just six points shy of the cutoff, making this race critical to his postseason survival. Despite a rocky start to the playoffs, Hamlin has reasons to be optimistic, particularly given his back-to-back victories at Bristol in his last two appearances there.
NASCAR analyst Jeff Hammond, a commentator for FOX Sports, believes Hamlin’s chances of advancing rest heavily on a strong qualifying run. As the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race approaches, Hammond stresses that track position is vital for Hamlin to shake off his playoff slump and secure a spot in the Round of 12. According to Hammond, without a solid qualifying performance, Hamlin will face an uphill battle, potentially starting the race playing catch-up.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as four drivers will be eliminated after the Bristol race, and Hamlin finds himself in a precarious position alongside other notable names like Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Harrison Burton. Hamlin, once a top contender in the Cup Series standings, has seen his performance dip in recent races, making this a make-or-break moment.
Bristol has been a favorable track for Hamlin, but with so much on the line, the margin for error is slim. Jeff Hammond, who brings years of experience as a championship-winning crew chief and a current general manager in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, emphasized the importance of qualifying on the GoPRNLive podcast. He explained that without a strong start, any race strategy becomes irrelevant. Starting from the back means fighting to stay in the race from the moment the green flag drops.
Hammond’s insight carries weight, given his deep roots in NASCAR. He was a part of championship-winning crews for legends like Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip, adding credibility to his view that Hamlin needs to qualify well to have a fighting chance. Despite only being six points behind 12th-place Ty Gibbs, Hamlin can’t afford to take anything for granted. His recent results, including a 24th-place finish in Atlanta and a 23rd at Watkins Glen following several wrecks, highlight the need for a flawless race at Bristol. While he’s not necessarily in a “must-win” scenario, Hamlin must execute the fundamentals to stay in the playoff hunt.
Hamlin’s situation is not without precedent. Bubba Wallace faced a 19-point deficit in 2023 yet managed to advance to the Round of 12. If Hamlin wins at Bristol, he’ll join elite company, becoming the first driver in two decades to claim three consecutive victories at the track. The last to achieve this was Kurt Busch, who won three straight from 2003 to 2004. This historical context gives Hamlin added motivation as he heads into what could be a defining race in his playoff run.
While Hamlin remains optimistic, the pressure is undeniable. Any unforeseen issues, like wrecks or mechanical failures, could derail his hopes of advancing. Moreover, the momentum has not been in his favor during the early playoff races, and the confidence he exuded after last fall’s Bristol win seems diminished. After that victory, Hamlin boldly stated, “I beat your favorite driver. All of them,” but that swagger has been noticeably absent in recent weeks.
However, Hamlin’s experience in high-pressure situations could be his greatest asset. Reflecting on Hammond’s advice, Hamlin acknowledged on his *Actions Detrimental* podcast that qualifying will be critical. He laid out a clear strategy for success, aiming to secure a top-five finish in all stages of the race and collect enough points to move on to the next round. “It’s certainly very, very doable,” Hamlin remarked, predicting that at least one driver in the top 12 will encounter serious issues during the race. His plan is simple: run consistently well and aim for a 47-point day, which should be enough to push him into the Round of 12.
Still, Hamlin knows that driving smart and avoiding mistakes will be crucial. If he can race like the Hamlin of old, advancing to the next round should be well within reach. But if things go wrong, it could mark one of the most disappointing playoff runs of his career. With the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on Hamlin as he attempts to rise to the occasion and keep his championship hopes alive. Will he succeed, or will the Bristol night race prove too much to handle? The answer will unfold on the short track, where every lap counts.
“All Your Plans Don’t Matter” ““ Nascar Legend Breaks Down Denny Hamlin’s Only Hope Heading Into Bristol at the Edge of Disappointment
