The NASCAR Cup Series arrives at Daytona for the final regular-season race, where tensions run high as drivers scramble to secure playoff positions. While William Byron celebrates clinching the regular season championship, Denny Hamlin leads the playoff points standings with a distinctly cautious plan. Unlike many drivers seeking a postseason breakthrough, Hamlin’s main focus at Daytona is simply surviving the unpredictable conditions created by the new next-gen cars.
The introduction of next-gen vehicles this season has triggered widespread frustration. Designed to promote tighter racing, these cars have instead made passing extremely difficult, forcing drivers into crowded, high-risk packs. This has led to frequent collisions, especially on superspeedways like Daytona, where high speeds only heighten the dangers. Hamlin recognizes that trying to race at the front often puts a driver in the firing line for crashes, so he has opted to rely on luck rather than aggressively chasing bonus points.
In a statement to NASCAR media, Hamlin acknowledged the challenge:
This isn’t a race where many of us can dictate our finish. We can just hope to get lucky.
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Previous Daytona 500 Crash Influenced Hamlin’s Careful Tactics
Hamlin’s careful approach is informed by his experience at the season opener, where he witnessed a severe crash between Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. early in the Daytona 500. That wreck reinforced his view that the current car package has made superspeedway racing more volatile and unpredictable than ever.
With the playoffs drawing near, Hamlin acknowledges that avoiding injury is paramount to maintain his position as a championship contender. While he remains competitive, his priority is preservation over risk, understanding that a crash in the next-gen era could derail his championship hopes entirely.
Additionally, this race offers Hamlin an opportunity to rebound after a disappointing outing at Richmond. Despite having the speed for a fifth win this season, a pit road mishap dropped him to tenth place, heightening his frustration.
As the regular season concludes, Hamlin’s strategy balances cautious survival instincts with his desire to compete, aiming to avoid the chaos while staying within striking distance of victory.
