Denny Hamlin may once again fall short of securing his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Year after year, the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver is viewed as a top contender for the title, but when it counts the most, he struggles to deliver. More often than not, it’s his own decisions and strategies that hinder his progress rather than the actions of his competitors.
Like every season, there was hope that the veteran driver might finally add the championship to his already impressive career, which is Hall of Fame-worthy. However, as the playoffs commenced, Hamlin’s recurring issues resurfaced. His strategy at Atlanta, aimed at avoiding wrecks, backfired as he got caught up in a late-race accident. A similar scenario unfolded at Watkins Glen, where Hamlin’s race was compromised from the very first lap.
Despite these setbacks, Hamlin remains confident that he can turn things around at Bristol. But NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty was quick to point out the flaws that have plagued Hamlin’s past performances.
Kyle Petty’s Criticism: Overthinking is Hamlin’s Biggest Weakness
After Hamlin’s underwhelming performance in the first playoff race at Atlanta, he found himself in a public exchange with Kyle Petty. Starting from the back of the field due to an unapproved adjustment, Hamlin’s cautious approach, intended to avoid accidents, ultimately hurt his chances. Though his decision was based on data and analytics, it failed to yield positive results, putting him in a difficult position as he heads into the Bristol race.
In recent years, Hamlin has faced a series of challenges. In the Next Gen era, he was on the receiving end of Ross Chastain’s daring “Hail Melon” move. Then, in 2023, a steering malfunction at Homestead dashed his hopes of a title run. Now, with the advantage he gained during the regular season slipping away, Kyle Petty has raised concerns about Hamlin’s future in the playoffs.
Petty noted that Hamlin’s tendency to overanalyze has often been his downfall. “He overthinks, he overanalyzes,” Petty said during an interview on GoPRNLive. Referring to Hamlin’s decision at Atlanta, Petty added, “He didn’t need to do what he did, but he thought he did.” According to Petty, Hamlin’s failure to learn from past mistakes has prevented him from capturing NASCAR’s biggest prize.
While Petty acknowledged Hamlin’s talent and status as a future Hall of Famer, he emphasized that Hamlin is often his own worst enemy. “He’s his own competitor, and it’s between his ears in a lot of cases. We saw that at Atlanta, and we’ve seen it other times in his career; this isn’t new for Denny Hamlin,” Petty remarked.
Is Hamlin Spreading Himself Too Thin?
Another point of concern for Hamlin is the multitude of responsibilities he has taken on. Aside from his role as a JGR driver, Hamlin is a co-owner of the Cup Series team 23XI Racing and hosts his own podcast. Balancing these commitments, while also striving to win a championship, could be affecting his performance on the track.
Recently, charter negotiations involving 23XI Racing became a significant distraction. Just before the Atlanta race, NASCAR announced a new charter agreement with the team. However, 23XI Racing pushed back, demanding fairer terms in the negotiations. Although Hamlin insisted that the playoffs would remain his top priority and that the charter talks wouldn’t interfere with his racing, it’s hard to deny that the situation has impacted his mindset and performance.
Kevin Harvick’s Perspective: Charter Talks May Be Hurting Hamlin’s Playoff Run
Kevin Harvick, another veteran driver, didn’t hold back in offering his thoughts on Hamlin’s playoff struggles. Speaking on the “Happy Hour” podcast, Harvick pointed out that the charter negotiations have played a role in Hamlin’s recent decline.
“When you look at the strategy Hamlin used at Atlanta, racing for just 20 points, and then factor in all the drama with the charters, it’s derailed the 11 car,” Harvick said.
As the playoffs progress, Hamlin’s best shot at redemption lies in getting back to winning at Bristol. From there, he’ll need to reset his approach and regain his focus for the next round of playoff races. If Hamlin can clear his mind and avoid overthinking, there’s still a chance for him to turn things around. But if history is any indication, overcoming these mental hurdles may prove to be his toughest challenge yet.
Kyle Petty Labels Denny Hamlin His ‘Own Worst Enemy’ to Warn About Shock Playoff Exit
