Denny Hamlin rebounds after turbulent week, securing a seventh-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, putting himself back at the forefront after off-track complications threatened to overshadow his performance. The finish places Hamlin in a strong position for the postseason at a time when team ownership turmoil and potential shake-ups within NASCAR loom large over both his own future and the sport’s direction.
Pressure Mounts Heading Into Darlington
Hamlin arrived at Darlington Raceway following a week packed with legal tensions and organizational uncertainty. Prior to the race weekend, he faced a court discovery hearing filled with revealing exchanges between NASCAR, Hamlin’s co-owned 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports. The friction intensified as NASCAR threatened the possible forced sale of charters owned by both 23XI and FRM, with possible sales to unknown buyers, raising alarm within racing circles.
This situation escalated when Michael Jordan—Hamlin’s friend, business partner, and fellow co-owner at 23XI—countered with a warning that he might shut down 23XI Racing should NASCAR proceed with selling team charters. Jordan’s potential departure is about more than the loss of a six-time NBA champion; as a high-profile owner, he is credited with helping expand NASCAR’s reach to a more diverse fanbase, particularly among Black fans. Losing both Jordan and the fans he attracted would deal a considerable blow to the sport, which has made strides in welcoming new audiences.
On-Track Focus Offers Relief Amid Uncertainty
Despite tremendous off-track challenges, Hamlin found reassurance once he settled into his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Darlington. Throughout the race, he repeatedly vied for a top-five spot before finishing seventh, a result that, while not glamorous, provided stability. With this result, Hamlin now stands second in the Cup playoff standings, following JGR teammate and race winner Chase Briscoe.
“Yes, it definitely does (feel good to rebound),”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin acknowledged the significance of a strong day for both his own efforts and those of 23XI Racing:
“I wish we would have executed better to kind of see where we stacked up, but you’ll have that. But overall, you got to come out of days like today unscathed and obviously, the three of us have.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
As he manages his role as a top playoff competitor, Hamlin is also tethered to the fortunes of his own drivers at 23XI—Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. Both of them delivered solid results at Darlington, with Reddick securing second place behind Briscoe and Wallace finishing sixth. When questioned about whether he could rest easier after seeing his 23XI drivers succeed early in the playoffs, Hamlin shared cautious optimism:
“Yeah, I mean, anything can happen, right?”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He added,
“But certainly, it lets you not panic. It certainly will allow you to have a little bit more poise when you head into these next couple of races.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Technical Hurdles Shape the Race
Darlington’s unique racing conditions added complexity to the event. Hamlin explained that both the Next Gen race car and the predominant “dirty air” in the pack made overtaking a challenge throughout the night. He openly commented on the need for improvements:
“Yeah, dirty air is bad. I mean, I just would love to see some sort of fix to the car,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He observed how tire wear played out differently compared to other recent venues: at Richmond, a softer compound had led to more significant tire falloff, whereas at Darlington, the decline was even across the field, limiting strategic variance. Another factor was the limited number of viable racing lines, which increased difficulty for passing. Hamlin pointed out,
“Everyone’s driving very similar and there’s only so many grooves here at this racetrack. It’s just very, very difficult to pass.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Broader Implications for NASCAR’s Future
Hamlin’s performance has provided a stabilizing moment not just for himself, but also for his teams at Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI, after a week dominated by controversy and uncertainty. Meanwhile, the potential withdrawal of Michael Jordan and the effects it could have on diversity and fan retention within NASCAR remain unresolved, adding a layer of urgency beyond this week’s results.
Looking ahead, the spotlight remains firmly on both on-track battles and boardroom decisions, as the postseason continues and NASCAR’s management wrestles with issues that could reshape the team landscape. For now, Hamlin’s rebound at Darlington signals resilience amid upheaval, setting the stage for an unpredictable series of playoff races to come.
