Denny Hamlin has crafted an impressive career in the NASCAR Cup Series, but there’s one glaring omission on his resume—a championship title.
The veteran driver has come agonizingly close multiple times over nearly two decades, and while he may have claimed at least one championship had certain things gone his way, it simply hasn’t materialized.
In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin opened up about what winning a title would mean to him and discussed his motivations for finally capturing a Cup Series championship.
“I’m just going to do the best that I can, and try to get as many wins as I can before my career is over. That’s really the list I care about because the drivers on it are the most elite. So that’s my goal, and I’ve got plenty of time to achieve what I want.
A Cup championship would just add to that,” Hamlin explained regarding his title hopes. “I mean, it would certainly mean a lot to me and my family. I want it for my dad—I’ve said it many times—I want it for my family and friends just as much as I want it for myself.
“I’m going to be okay no matter what the outcome is, and I’ll be fine regardless of what happens.”
It’s a grounded perspective from the No. 11 driver. However, if Hamlin never claims a championship, it would be a surprising omission from an otherwise remarkable career. Many expected 2024 to be his year, but recent struggles have caused some to doubt, especially after Hamlin barely advanced past the Round of 16.
Despite these challenges, some analysts still believe Hamlin can overcome the adversity and fight for the title in Phoenix in 2024. During The Teardown podcast, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic shared how Hamlin can still capture the crown.
“They can absolutely win the championship. Absolutely. They could win at Talladega or Kansas, and it wouldn’t be a surprise,” Bianchi stated. “Then, in Round Three, they could win at any of those tracks. They could win at Vegas, Homestead, or Martinsville, and they definitely can win at Phoenix. They can absolutely win the championship.
“Are they a bit snakebit? Yes. Have their finishes matched their speed? No. Are they at the same level they were earlier in the season? Not quite. But this team is still so strong. While consistency is great and can get you through to the next round, this team is capable of winning a race when they need to, and if that’s what it takes, I believe they’ll do it.”
Denny Hamlin remains highly driven to close out his career with at least one Cup Series title, and maybe this season will finally be the one. It would be fitting if the No. 11 team, known for dominating early but faltering late, flipped the script and was the last car standing at the end of the season.
