Denny Hamlin delivered just when it mattered most. Heading into the final race of the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver found himself in a challenging spot after disappointing performances in Atlanta and Watkins Glen. However, Hamlin’s resilience and experience as a seasoned racer were on full display as he secured a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race. This marked his best result since finishing second at Pocono Raceway, and with renewed optimism, he now sets his sights on Kansas Speedway.
Having already won back-to-back races at the 0.533-mile concrete oval in Bristol, Hamlin entered the race with confidence, knowing his history at the track gave him an edge. He qualified in eighth place but quickly started to climb the ranks. By the end of Stage 1, Hamlin had worked his way up to sixth place, and by the end of Stage 2, he was running in third. Although he eventually slipped to fourth by the end of Stage 3, he held onto that position until the finish line. While not the top result he had hoped for, the fourth-place finish was enough to secure his spot in the Round of 12. Now, with seven races left in the Cup Series season, Hamlin is determined to build on this momentum.
After the race, Hamlin didn’t hesitate to send a message to his competitors. He made it clear that his strategy going forward would be to push aggressively. “It’s all offense from this point forward,” Hamlin stated. “We’re going to Kansas, a track we’ve been really, really good at. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the run.” His confidence in his team and his ability to perform well on upcoming tracks was evident, but he was also honest about his performance at Bristol. Hamlin acknowledged that Kyle Larson’s pace during the race was tough to match, saying, “My aspiration was to win it. It looked like the #5 was better than all of us.” This realistic self-assessment shows Hamlin’s competitive spirit while recognizing the strength of his rivals.
The question now is whether Hamlin can maintain this form throughout the remainder of the playoffs. His fourth-place finish at Bristol has certainly reignited belief in his championship campaign, and he seems to have regained his footing at a crucial moment in the season. While it remains to be seen if he can continue this upward trajectory, Hamlin’s performance at Bristol is a strong indication that he’s back in the mix and ready to fight for his first-ever Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but Hamlin’s experience and past successes on the tracks in the coming races position him as a serious contender. With Kansas Speedway up next, a track where Hamlin has historically performed well, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. If he can capitalize on this confidence and build upon his Bristol finish, Hamlin may well find himself in the hunt for the championship as the season draws to a close.
In a sport as unpredictable as NASCAR, nothing is guaranteed, but Hamlin’s drive and determination have never been in question. His recent struggles seem to be behind him, and with his focus now fully on offense, his competitors should be wary. Hamlin is hungry for that elusive championship, and his performance at Bristol suggests that he may be peaking at just the right time. With a clear mindset and a strategy focused on pushing ahead, Hamlin’s path to the Cup Series title is still very much alive.
As the playoff races unfold, it will be fascinating to see if Hamlin can maintain this resurgence and finally claim the championship that has eluded him for so long. His combination of experience, skill, and a clear sense of purpose makes him a formidable force. The coming weeks will be crucial, but if his run at Bristol is any indication, Denny Hamlin is back in the title race—and ready to make his mark on the 2024 season. All eyes will be on him as he heads into the next race, determined to chase down his first championship victory at Phoenix Raceway later this year.
Denny Hamlin Issues Stark Warning to NASCAR Field After Acknowledging Kyle Larson’s Dominance.
