Denny Hamlin recently discussed how the introduction of the Next Gen car has intensified competition in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, making the field more evenly matched than in previous years. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who has over 700 Cup Series starts and has consistently been a playoff contender for nearly two decades, noted that the new car has reshaped the way drivers approach races and playoff positioning.
Introduced in 2022, the Next Gen car levels the playing field by ensuring most vehicles run at comparable speeds, creating greater challenges in securing strong track position. This shift has altered Hamlin’s pursuit of his first Cup championship, presenting new obstacles and strategies for drivers across the series.
Hamlin Explains the New Dynamics of Cup Playoffs
In a recent interview with Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Hamlin highlighted that the margin for error has tightened significantly this season because of the Next Gen car. He emphasized that aspects like track position, qualifying performance, and playoff point distribution are now more critical than ever.
“Everything is just a little bit closer. Track position means a little more. Qualifying means a little bit more. Playoff points are spread out amongst the field. Slightly more than what it’s been in the past,” said Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin also pointed to the heightened unpredictability in the playoffs, suggesting that drivers near the bottom of the standings are motivated by their proximity in points and that outsiders could emerge as serious contenders.
“I think, if anything, you’re looking at probably the bottom four guys right now chomping at the bit, knowing they’re only 20-some points out of the point lead. I think that it’s wide open from that stance of where you could have someone very unexpected make it to the Final Four,” he added.
Hamlin’s Playoff Performance and Season Record
With 58 Cup wins—the most among active drivers—and numerous playoff appearances, Hamlin enters this year’s playoffs with a strong resume. He has claimed four victories and secured seven additional top-five finishes throughout the current season, showcasing competitive consistency on a variety of tracks.
The early rounds of the playoffs will take place at Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, and Bristol Motor Speedway. Hamlin has demonstrated strength at all three venues, tying for fourth in all-time wins at Darlington with five victories. At Gateway, he has narrowly missed victory twice, finishing second in his last two starts at the track.
Bristol has also been a fruitful location for Hamlin; he holds four wins there, including his latest during the 2024 spring race and another playoff win in September 2023.
Hamlin’s Perspective on His Championship Pursuit
During the conversation with Bob Pockrass, Hamlin shared his outlook on finally securing a Cup title after years of close calls. While maintaining a hopeful mindset, he acknowledged the unpredictable factors that influence race outcomes, despite his and his team’s strong performance.
“For 20 years I’ve given, tried to give an explanation of why one year is different than the other, but truthfully they’re not different. I’m running as fast as I’ve ever run. We’re winning as many races as anyone in the series. It’s just a matter of whether the things we can’t control keep us from competing or not,” Denny Hamlin said.
His remarks underscore the resilience and perseverance required in the highly competitive environment of NASCAR, where success depends not only on skill and speed but also on managing unforeseen challenges.
