Kevin Harvick has raised concerns about Denny Hamlin’s ability to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship, a title that has consistently evaded him throughout his impressive career. Hamlin has had plenty of success on the track, but the championship has always remained out of reach. At the start of the 2024 season, it seemed that this year could be different. Hamlin secured three wins in the first 11 races, putting himself in a strong position for the championship.
Unfortunately, his performance took a turn for the worse over the summer. In the next 17 races, Hamlin didn’t claim a single victory, and his results from the most recent races have been particularly troubling. He finished 24th at Atlanta and 23rd at Watkins Glen, leaving him six points below the playoff cutline as he approaches the Round of 16 finale at Bristol. These recent struggles have put him in a difficult position as the playoffs intensify.
Harvick discussed Hamlin’s struggles on his “Happy Hour” podcast, focusing on how Hamlin has historically faltered under playoff pressure. While Hamlin has shown that he can handle a lot off the track and still perform well, Harvick pointed out that winning a championship has always been the missing piece. He said:
“The thing about Denny is that he’s always managed pressure well. He’s been able to handle everything going on off the track and still perform at a high level. But when it comes to winning a championship, he just hasn’t been able to do it.”
Harvick expected 2024 to be different for Hamlin, but the first playoff race raised familiar concerns. Harvick noted that the team’s decision-making in that race brought back the same questions about Hamlin’s ability to succeed under pressure. He explained:
“I thought this year was going to be different for Denny. But after the very first playoff race, those old doubts came back. We can talk all we want about how good his team is, but the decisions they made early on in the playoffs have reopened that question. Now, we’ll see how strong they really are at Bristol. I expect them to do well, but they’ve got to put everything together.”
Despite these struggles, Hamlin’s past success at Bristol offers some hope. He has won multiple times at the track, including a victory earlier this year in the spring race. This history suggests that Hamlin has a chance to perform well in this crucial race and keep his championship hopes alive.
Hamlin himself remains confident, understanding the importance of qualifying and consistency. He told the media:
“Qualifying is going to be important, but we just need to run top five in all the stages and finish in the top five of the race. A 47-point day will be more than enough to keep us in it.”
In conclusion, while Hamlin started 2024 strong, his mid-season decline and playoff struggles have cast doubt on his ability to secure the championship. Harvick’s comments about Hamlin’s history in the playoffs add to the pressure as the Round of 16 finale approaches. However, with his experience and success at Bristol, Hamlin is hopeful that he can turn things around and continue his fight for the elusive title.
Kevin Harvick Raises Significant Denny Hamlin NASCAR Championship Concerns
