Joe Gibbs recently offered his perspective on Denny Hamlin’s championship prospects during a post-race discussion, emphasizing his high hopes that the veteran driver could finally secure a NASCAR Cup Series title. Sharing his Joe Gibbs NASCAR Cup Series insights, the team owner spoke candidly following a victorious performance by Hamlin at World Wide Technology Raceway on September 7, 2025.
This season, Denny Hamlin has demonstrated remarkable consistency as the driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. He notched his 59th career victory with a win at the Enjoy Illinois 300 and has amassed four additional wins, along with 15 top-ten finishes, 12 top-fives, and three pole positions in just 27 starts thus far. These results have placed Hamlin firmly among the top contenders as the Cup Series season pushes into its decisive stages.
Gibbs Responds to Questions on Hamlin’s Title Outlook
During a recent interview on Cup Scene, NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass asked Joe Gibbs if Hamlin could achieve his long-awaited championship this year. Pockrass inquired:
“Can this really be Denny Hamlin’s year?” [02:30 onwards]
Gibbs replied, highlighting Hamlin’s dedication and the team’s support from the background:
“Yeah, I think, uh, great question there. Uh, we certainly hope so. That’s probably the best guy to ask, but I’ll be in the background cheering. But, uh, no, really, Denny, I tell you what’s impressive about Denny is his work ethic. Really, he’ll be in the sim as long as Chris wants him in there. Uh, really works hard at everything. And, uh, so I would certainly hope he’s got a chance for sure.”
At World Wide Technology Raceway, all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers achieved top-ten finishes. While Hamlin secured first place in the 240-lap, 300-mile event, his teammate Chase Briscoe recorded a runner-up finish. Christopher Bell finished seventh, and Ty Gibbs rounded out the team’s dominant showing in tenth place, reflecting the organization’s strength and collective momentum heading into the critical part of the season.
Gibbs Reflects on the State of Stock Car Racing
Beyond discussing individual performances, Joe Gibbs has also shared thoughts about the sport’s broader direction. Earlier in July 2025, he participated in a conversation with NASCAR great Kevin Harvick on the Happy Hour podcast, where he talked about team strategy and fan expectations. Joe Gibbs Racing’s history in the Cup Series dates back to their debut at the 1992 Daytona 500, and since then the organization has earned 224 Cup Series wins, 217 Xfinity Series victories, and 43 triumphs in the ARCA Menards Series. In addition, the team has produced 166 pole positions and achieved a combined 972 top-five and 1,595 top-ten finishes across 3,283 starts.
Addressing what fans value, Gibbs emphasized the importance of fielding the best drivers every weekend. He reflected on advancements in the sport and what it means for teams and fans:
“We went Gen 7, so that is definitely a different wrinkle. Yes, but to me, I think our sport here here’s what I think about our sport. I hope that we’ll continue with the idea of being we want to reward the best team and the best driver every single weekend. That is what our fans want. They want to see they know how hard it is, and they want to see somebody for the weekend challenge us. So anything that kind of holds us back on any of that, I’m, you know, I’m hoping that we stay focused on because it is we all in pro sports look at something.” [29:09]
The current Joe Gibbs Racing lineup in the Cup Series features Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell in the #20 Camry, Chase Briscoe replacing Martin Truex Jr. in the #19, and Ty Gibbs in the #54 car, further cementing the team’s competitive edge on the grid.
Significance for the Season Ahead
The combination of Denny Hamlin’s impressive track record, Joe Gibbs’ leadership, and the collective success of the team puts Joe Gibbs Racing in a prime position as the season intensifies. With fans motivated by competitiveness and dedication from drivers like Hamlin, the pursuit of a Cup Series title continues to generate anticipation and high expectations within NASCAR’s vibrant community. As the race for the championship advances, attention will remain firmly on both Hamlin’s resilience and the ongoing legacy of Joe Gibbs Racing.
