Denny Hamlin has long maintained that balancing his dual roles as a NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and a team owner for 23XI Racing wouldn’t interfere with his primary goal of winning races. However, after a lackluster performance at Atlanta, the reality of juggling these responsibilities may be catching up with him. Heading into the NASCAR playoffs, Hamlin’s #11 team was viewed as a serious championship contender, thanks to a solid regular season. But now, it appears the external pressures of his ownership duties are affecting his focus and on-track performance.
The root of the distraction lies in the ongoing negotiations regarding the NASCAR charter agreement, a complex deal that determines how profits are shared between teams and NASCAR. As co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin has been at the forefront of the discussions, and it seems the demands of securing a fair deal are impacting his racing. This tension is heightened by the fact that other teams have already signed agreements with NASCAR, leaving Hamlin and Front Row Motorsports as the only teams without a deal in place.
Hamlin’s peer, veteran NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, recently weighed in on Hamlin’s situation. Harvick believes Hamlin may have inadvertently placed too much pressure on himself by taking such a prominent role in the charter negotiations. During a recent episode of the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick commented on how Hamlin has become the center of attention: “He practically put a target on his back during media day, opening himself up to all the questions. And now, with most teams signing the charter deal, it seems like everything has turned on him.”
While Harvick’s remarks reflect the pressure Hamlin is under, there’s a more pressing issue looming over Hamlin’s future: the impact on his two drivers at 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. Both drivers are left wondering how their future in the Cup Series might be affected if the charter negotiations continue to stall. Without a resolution, the uncertainty surrounding their team’s future could have lasting implications for their careers.
Harvick voiced his concerns about Hamlin’s dual responsibilities, suggesting they could hurt his playoff chances. “Denny’s been the spokesperson for these charter discussions, and now he’s fighting to secure his place in the playoffs. Everyone thought he was a top contender, but unless these issues are resolved soon, it’s going to be hard for him to keep answering those questions and focus on winning races,” Harvick added.
Hamlin’s racing performance hasn’t been at its best lately, which only amplifies concerns. He’s winless in his last 16 races and has managed just one top-five finish since the mid-season break. While some might wonder if Hamlin is losing his edge, others speculate whether he’s holding back, ready to unleash his full potential during the high-stakes playoff season.
The playoffs demand peak performance from every driver, and with only three races to secure a spot in the next round, the pressure is intense from the outset. Unfortunately for Hamlin and his #11 team, they stumbled right out of the gate with a disappointing showing in the opening playoff race at Atlanta. But despite the early setback, Hamlin has reasons for hope. He knows there’s still time to bounce back, especially with upcoming short-track races on the schedule where he has historically excelled.
Bristol Motor Speedway, known as “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” offers Hamlin a lifeline. If the pressure mounts and he finds himself in a must-win situation, Hamlin knows he has the skillset to deliver at Bristol. Two of his three victories this year came on short tracks, including a previous win at Bristol and another at Richmond. His team’s ability to manage tires effectively and perform under grueling conditions at night races on short ovals could be key to his playoff success.
Even amidst his recent struggles, there have been bright spots. One of his stronger showings came at Richmond, where he finished second, narrowly missing another victory. This performance demonstrated that while Hamlin may be feeling the strain of off-track distractions, he still has the ability to compete at a high level, particularly on tracks where he’s most comfortable.
Despite the turbulence, Hamlin isn’t out of the championship race yet. Thanks to his strong regular season, Hamlin accumulated enough bonus points to keep him above the cutline for now, positioning him to advance to the next round of the playoffs. But there’s no denying that the road ahead will be challenging. To move forward, Hamlin will need to shift his focus back to his racing goals and away from the distractions of ownership.
The entire NASCAR community has been closely watching the charter negotiations, which have turned into a heated battle between NASCAR and the teams. The charter deal is critical, as it governs how profits are distributed among the teams and ensures their financial viability. Initially, many believed the teams had unified in their efforts to push for a better deal from NASCAR, but recent developments have left 23XI Racing on shaky ground. While most teams have signed extensions with NASCAR, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports remain without agreements, adding even more pressure on Hamlin as both a driver and team owner.
The situation has reached a tipping point for Hamlin. Balancing his role as a team owner with his duties as a driver was always going to be a challenge, but now it seems the strain is starting to show. The playoff stage is where champions are made, and if Hamlin is to reclaim his early season momentum and fight for a title, he will need to refocus and address the off-track issues that are weighing him down.
In the end, Denny Hamlin’s path forward will depend on his ability to compartmentalize the demands of team ownership and put his full energy into racing. While he has proven in the past that he can rise to the occasion under pressure, this playoff season is shaping up to be one of his toughest challenges yet. With high expectations and off-track distractions mounting, Hamlin must quickly regain his form if he wants to have a shot at the championship. The clock is ticking, and all eyes are on Hamlin to see if he can weather the storm and come out on top.
