As the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs enter their critical second round next week at Bristol, Denny Hamlin shared his outlook on his chances during this stage of the championship battle. Speaking on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin highlighted the importance of a strong start in the Round of 12, which features 12 drivers competing to advance further toward the title.
You need to get off to a hot start in the second round,
Denny Hamlin said.
Talladega (third-round race), I feel like, is level for everyone, where the Roval probably isn’t. My shot of wrecking at Talladega is probably the same percentage amount this it is for Austin Cindric or whoever, Ryan Blaney. I’m not worried about [Talladega] for those reasons. I know it’s going to be the roll of the dice, if I crap out, I crap out.
Hamlin explained that while Talladega presents an equal chance of problems for any driver, the Roval poses more of a challenge where speed plays a bigger role. He stressed that his team must complete crucial work early in the round to secure a competitive position. Fortunately for Hamlin, he currently holds more playoff points than any other driver in the field, positioning him well in the fight to advance past the Round of 12.
Predictions for the Bristol Elimination Race and Its Impact on Standings
Addressing the upcoming Bristol race, which serves as an elimination event, Hamlin pointed out how difficult the track is to navigate without taking risks.
It’s just a very, very tough track to race scared,
he said.
Racing scared means looking at points.
According to Hamlin, drivers like Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric are likely to race cautiously given the track’s demanding nature and their current positions above the playoff cut line.
Hamlin voiced skepticism about the chances of the drivers below the cut line making significant gains at Bristol.
I see no one from the bottom four that is a threat to go out there and score 50 points.
He also asserted that Chastain, Logano, and Cindric remain
safe just based off of how they’re racing.
This forecast means that unless one of the four drivers below the cut line—Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, or Josh Berry—achieves a victory on Saturday night, they are likely to be eliminated. Dillon, however, sits only 11 points shy of the cutoff and is expected to fiercely contest Austin Cindric for the final spot in the next playoff round. The official results of who moves forward will be decided during the race airing at 7:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network this Saturday.
The Stakes Ahead for Hamlin and Other Contenders
Hamlin’s assessment underscores the pressure drivers face as the playoffs advance, especially at tracks like Bristol where risk-taking is often unavoidable. His position as the leader in playoff points offers some security, but the unpredictable nature of the races, including the rolling dice factor at Talladega and the technical Roval, means no one feels entirely safe. With elimination looming for several drivers, the next few races will prove pivotal in shaping the championship battle’s direction.
