Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, expressed confidence ahead of the Round of 12 opener at Kansas Speedway, calling it “one of their very best tracks.” However, the competition will be fierce, as Gabehart also acknowledged that Kansas is one of Kyle Larson’s strongest tracks. As a result, he expects a “war” between the two drivers on the 1.5-mile oval, and he’s looking forward to the challenge.
As the playoff field narrows, with only eight drivers advancing after the three-race Round of 12, the pressure is on for Hamlin, Larson, and the other contenders. Hamlin currently sits sixth in the standings, with a modest seven-point cushion heading into the Hollywood Casino 400. Meanwhile, Larson leads the pack with a 39-point advantage, positioning himself as a strong contender for the title. Gabehart is well aware of the competition, especially from Larson, and is gearing up for a tough battle on track.
In a statement shared by NASCAR, Gabehart spoke about the upcoming race at Kansas, acknowledging the fierce rivalry between Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. “Kansas is one of our very best tracks,” Gabehart said. “It’s one of Larson’s very best tracks. I fully expect it to be a war, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Both Hamlin and Larson have shown their prowess on the NextGen cars introduced in 2022. Hamlin secured one win during the 2023 season and has been a model of consistency with five consecutive top-5 finishes at Kansas. On the other hand, Larson, who narrowly edged out Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds in the regular season race, will be entering the Round of 12 as the defending winner. However, Larson has one fewer top-5 finish than Hamlin this year.
Reflecting on their shared success at Kansas Speedway, Larson noted that the track seems to suit both drivers’ styles. “I think Kansas just suits both of us well,” Larson said. “We’ve both run well there our whole careers, with different cars, aero packages, and horsepower packages. Something about it just suits our driving style. Right now, we’re both really good, and Denny will be the best there. His car is really, really good, and he does a great job managing it. So, he’ll for sure be the one to beat.”
While Hamlin has enjoyed great success at Kansas, he is still chasing his first-ever Cup Series championship. In contrast, Larson has already secured one title and is considered a top contender for a second. The upcoming race at Kansas could prove crucial for both drivers as they continue their pursuit of the 2023 championship. With Gabehart expecting a “war” on the track and Larson acknowledging Hamlin’s strength, all eyes will be on the #11 and #5 cars as they battle for supremacy at one of their favorite venues.
“Looking forward to it” – Denny Hamlin’s crew awaits “war” with Hendrick Motorsports’ top brass
