Denny Hamlin demonstrated his strength upon returning to NASCAR competition last weekend, asserting himself as a serious contender for the 2025 championship. After missing the sport’s historic debut race in Mexico City to welcome his newborn son, Hamlin quickly regained momentum with a strong second-place finish at Pocono Raceway.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Hamlin’s Dominance After Paternity Leave
Former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick praised Hamlin’s swift rebound upon returning from paternity leave, predicting he will be a major challenge to beat this season. Harvick emphasized Hamlin’s determination to make an impact right away at a track where he feels confident.
“For him to come back, I think he knew he needed to make a statement, and I think he was also coming back to a track that he was very confident in,”
Harvick said on his Happy Hour podcast.
“After his paternity leave and week off in Mexico, I think he did exactly what everybody thought he was going to do, and that was qualify on the pole and be a contender as he went through the race. The 11 is definitely hitting on all cylinders, and I think as you go through the rest of the year, you’re going to have to deal with them.”
Hamlin’s Season Performance and Standings Overview
This season, Hamlin has tallied eight top-five finishes, trailing only Kyle Larson, who leads that category. The 44-year-old driver sits third in the overall points standings behind William Byron and Larson, boasting three wins and three runner-up results so far. His continued strong performance at tracks like Pocono, where he secured his seventh victory last year and followed up with a second-place finish most recently, underscores his consistency.
Despite coping with sleep deprivation after his third child’s birth, Hamlin is firmly in contention for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The race to secure one of the 16 postseason spots heats up as only nine regular-season events remain before the playoffs begin at Darlington on August 31.
Hamlin’s Next Opportunity at Echopark Speedway
Hamlin’s attention now turns to the upcoming Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway, scheduled to begin Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and broadcast on TNT. With his momentum firmly intact, he aims to return to victory lane and strengthen his position within the NASCAR Cup Series title chase.
