Denny Hamlin expressed doubts regarding Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) chances in the upcoming NASCAR Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway, despite teammate Christopher Bell‘s recent victory at Bristol on September 14. Bell’s win secured JGR its third straight triumph in the Round of 16, but Hamlin remained cautious about their potential to contend for the title at Phoenix.
Bell edged out Brad Keselowski by 0.343 seconds for the Bristol win, while Hamlin finished 31st. Nevertheless, Hamlin holds a comfortable lead in the playoff standings, sitting 26 points above the cutline as the competition moves forward.
Consistent Challenges for JGR at Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix has posed difficulties for Joe Gibbs Racing in recent years, with few victories to show. Hamlin, a two-time winner on the one-mile oval, last won there in November 2019 and finished 11th in both Phoenix races last season. Christopher Bell, also a two-time winner at Phoenix, has yet to improve beyond fifth place in the championship race at the track. Ryan Briscoe’s sole victory at Phoenix came in 2022, but recent final appearances have been disappointing, with finishes outside the top 20.
When comparing average finishes in the Next Gen era, JGR drivers trail Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and William Byron, as well as Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, highlighting the uphill battle the team faces at Phoenix.
During a post-race interview with Fox Sports’ Bob Packrass, Hamlin reflected on the team’s struggles at Phoenix:
“I mean, I don’t know. It’s all about Phoenix, right? That’s where they crown the champion. I don’t know the last time we won there. So, I don’t know. We’ll see,” —Denny Hamlin
Insights on Bristol Night Race and Tire Wear Issues
Hamlin’s race at Bristol ended in frustration after starting 31st and finishing five laps behind the leaders. The event featured high tire wear and 14 cautions, creating a challenging environment on the track. Hamlin suffered a significant setback when he lost his right-front tire wheel shortly after a restart on lap 373, causing a collision with AJ Allmendinger and William Byron and resulting in a two-lap penalty for his No. 11 Toyota.
Ty Gibbs led the most laps—201 in total—but pit road troubles limited his finish to 10th place. Hamlin commented on the possibility of returning to softer tires to address the issues:
“Certainly a version of it I think would be cool,” —Denny Hamlin
He further elaborated on the tire compounds, noting the need for a less aggressive approach:
“It seemed like some others were able to go a little bit longer than what I was. But, yeah, I mean, a version of this, but, you know, maybe something a little bit less aggressive,” —Denny Hamlin
Looking Ahead to the Playoff Round of 12
With the Round of 16 concluded, the playoffs will now move to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the opening race of the Round of 12 next weekend. The subsequent races will take place at Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, as drivers vie to advance toward the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Hamlin’s tempered expectations for the Phoenix event reflect both the challenges Joe Gibbs Racing has faced at that track and the difficulty in maintaining consistent performance throughout the playoffs. His cautious outlook underscores the competitive nature of the closing stages of the NASCAR season.
