Denny Hamlin, co-owner and driver for 23XI Racing, spoke candidly about his team’s promising start to the NASCAR season, which already includes two victories by teammate Tyler Reddick. Interviewed by Frontstretch, Hamlin touched on his own car’s progress, tire wear challenges, and the ongoing lawsuit involving Joe Gibbs Racing. The early wins have positioned 23XI strongly in the points standings as the season progresses.
Examining his own recent performance, Hamlin noted a difference between his driving and the car’s capabilities during practice sessions. He stated,
“The car is a little better than the driver right now. We’re just working on it, slowly but surely.”
He acknowledged that the car demonstrated improved pace over long runs compared to previous visits to the track, emphasizing the importance of converting that speed into consistent race-day performance.
Approach to Track Preparation and Upcoming Races
Rather than treating specific events as more important, Hamlin explained that he views every race with equal significance for the championship. His focus remains steady, and the team’s preparation routine stays consistent week to week. He remarked,
“They all count. This one counts just as much as Phoenix and Vegas. You just try to focus your efforts on the places where you think you can win. We try to be at our best every time we show up.”
Looking ahead to the next race in Phoenix, Hamlin noted that the same tire compound will be used, while speculating that increased horsepower regulations might influence how the race unfolds.
“I’m not sure. I think the added horsepower might have some effect on it,”
he said. Teams are continuing to refine their setups as they accumulate data.
Reflecting on Phoenix last fall, Hamlin admitted that weekend was difficult, but expects better results this time. He expressed,
“It was certainly a tough weekend for us. For us, it’s about going back and putting together another strong performance. We should go there with high expectations.”
Impact of Tire Wear and Strategy Adjustments
Hamlin also focused on tire management, particularly on road courses, where softer tires have become a bigger factor. Drivers are increasingly dependent on simulations and data analysis to guide their approach. He explained,
“We didn’t used to worry much about tire wear on road courses. With NASCAR and Goodyear pushing softer tires, we’re seeing multi-second falloff.”
This shift has made tire conservation a critical part of race strategy. When comparing this season to the last, Hamlin did not observe significant differences in tire wear severity. He shared,
“I didn’t really notice it being worse, honestly,”
adding that the performance drop-off still tends to occur after roughly ten laps.
23XI’s Early Wins and Legal Challenges
The two early victories by 23XI Racing have set a strong tone for the team’s championship aspirations. Hamlin conveyed the value of a potential third win, stating,
“It would mean a big points lead, for sure.”
He emphasized that these wins are well-earned rather than coincidental, attributing part of the success to Reddick’s competitiveness at these tracks.
“Winning the first two races is a blessing, but it’s not a fluke,”
Hamlin said. Regarding Reddick, he added,
“When we come here, he expects to be a top-three or top-four guy.”
Hamlin also addressed the ongoing lawsuit filed by Joe Gibbs Racing against Chris Gabehart, who is accused of taking proprietary team information. Gabehart has denied the allegations. Hamlin underscored the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive data, explaining,
“It’s important for teams to protect their information because there’s no going back. If proprietary information gets out, that’s it.”
"If somehow your information gets leaked, there's no going back." @dennyhamlin doesn't mince words while speaking about the JGR, Chris Gabehart lawsuit. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/nCE33M84Ak
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 28, 2026
