Denny Hamlin is in his 21st Cup Series season, a journey that started with no family connections to NASCAR—just raw talent and determination. He even went broke chasing his dream before J.D. Gibbs spotted him and gave him an opportunity in 2005. That led to his first win at Pocono in 2006, and from then on, Hamlin became a key part of Joe Gibbs Racing. Over two decades, he’s secured 54 victories, including three Daytona 500 wins. But at 45 years old and without a championship, questions are surfacing about his role at JGR, especially with the team shifting its focus toward younger talent.
For years, Hamlin was the face of JGR, delivering consistent results and making the playoffs every season except one. However, despite his reliability, a title has remained elusive. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell has emerged as a serious contender, regularly reaching the Championship 4 and proving his mastery of the Next Gen car. With his growing success, JGR seems to view Bell as the team’s best chance for a title— a position Hamlin once held. Kevin Harvick recently addressed this shift, noting that even great drivers can lose their place when team dynamics change.
A major factor in Bell’s rise is stability. He’s worked with the same crew throughout his time at JGR, which has contributed to his rapid success. Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, emphasized that consistency in personnel is often overlooked but plays a huge role in performance. This season, Bell already has two wins (Atlanta, COTA) in just four races. On the other hand, Hamlin has faced major changes—losing longtime sponsor FedEx and seeing crew chief Chris Gabehart replaced by Chris Gayle. At this stage of his career, adapting to such shifts is a challenge, especially as he pushes for a long-awaited championship.
Harvick pointed out that Hamlin and his team started strong this season, with a third-place finish at The Clash and a near-win at Daytona. However, as the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether they will maintain their momentum or struggle to capitalize on strong runs. With Hamlin’s contract expiring in 2025, his future at JGR is uncertain. Meanwhile, Bell continues to strengthen his position as the team’s next big star.
With everything aligning for Bell, could this be his championship year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
