Last weekend’s playoff race at Watkins Glen saw Denny Hamlin in a tough spot with just five laps remaining. He found himself in 32nd position on the track after enduring two crashes, placing him 15 points below the playoff cutline. Despite the battered condition of his car, Hamlin managed to climb to 23rd by the time the checkered flag waved, reducing his points deficit to six. This left him within striking distance of the final transfer spot as he prepares for the upcoming elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway—a track where he’s been highly successful, winning the last two Cup races.
After the race, Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart emphasized their proximity to the cutline, encouraging Hamlin over the radio by saying, “That is going to our house where we’re six points behind. That is going to our house.” Hamlin’s position adds to the drama of Saturday night’s race at Bristol, where four drivers will see their playoff hopes come to an end. With two former champions among those below the cutline, Hamlin stands out as the central figure in the playoff narrative.
Bristol holds a special place for Hamlin, not only because of his past wins but also due to his memorable interaction with the crowd last year. After winning the Bristol race, he infamously taunted fans, declaring, “I beat your favorite driver … all of them.” He won again at Bristol in March, a race notorious for excessive tire wear. If he advances to the next round, Hamlin’s pursuit of his elusive first Cup title will continue. However, failing to do so would mark only the second time since 2014 that he didn’t make it past the first round, the last instance being in 2018.
Hamlin’s playoff record is impressive. He has qualified for the playoffs every year since 2014, reaching the championship race four times and advancing to the third round on four other occasions. His focus this weekend is clear. Speaking on his podcast, “Actions Detrimental,” Hamlin expressed confidence heading into Bristol, saying, “I love the fact that we get to go there on the offense. I’m going to be on offense the entire time.” His performance in the final laps at Watkins Glen has shifted his approach for Bristol. Instead of needing a win to advance, he now feels he just needs to perform as usual at a track where he excels.
Bristol has been a stronghold for Hamlin. He is one of only five drivers who have finished in the top 10 in all three Bristol races on concrete with the Next Gen car. The other drivers are Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Kyle Larson. Hamlin has completed all but four laps in the last 15 races on the concrete surface at Bristol and started in the top 10 in his last nine races there, a position that helps him steer clear of potential trouble.
After last weekend’s race at Watkins Glen, Hamlin was clear: “It’s not over yet. Not over until the end of Bristol.” His resilience and focus make him a formidable competitor as the playoff drama unfolds at Bristol.
Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe has been juggling preparations for both his playoff run and the imminent arrival of his twins. Five nights before the critical elimination race, Briscoe was assembling a stroller for his soon-to-arrive babies, joking that the task was more challenging than he expected. His wife, Marissa, is expecting twins any day now, and if they haven’t arrived by Oct. 8, she will be induced.
Briscoe’s playoff plans were adjusted after he secured his spot by winning the Southern 500 in the regular season finale. Initially, he planned to be available for the birth, but now, as a playoff driver, he faces a delicate balance between racing and family life. He admits that even if the twins arrive on a race weekend, he’ll still have to prioritize the race to keep his playoff hopes alive.
Briscoe and Ty Gibbs are tied for the final two transfer spots heading into Bristol, with Hamlin just six points behind. Next year, Briscoe will join Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 car as Truex steps back from full-time racing. Although Briscoe has had limited interaction with his future team, he acknowledges that they have kept in touch, maintaining basic communication as they prepare for next season.
As the elimination race at Bristol approaches, both Hamlin and Briscoe face significant personal and professional milestones, adding layers of complexity and excitement to the playoff narrative.
Hamlin Ready to Attack Bristol: ‘Going on Offense’ for Playoff Survival
