Denny Hamlin warns against Toyota hype after securing his fifth victory of the NASCAR season at Gateway, cautioning fans not to assume Toyota’s dominance will automatically continue. Despite his impressive performance for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin urged a measured perspective, emphasizing that speed and recent success do not guarantee future wins.
Hamlin’s Perspective on the Gateway Win and Toyota’s Reputation
Denny Hamlin has claimed the spotlight this NASCAR season, his No. 11 Toyota drawing intense attention after his recent pole win at Gateway. Following his race victory, Hamlin broke down the keys to his success, attributing his achievements at age 44 to confidence and mindset as much as raw speed. On his weekly podcast with co-host Jared Allen, he discussed the race in detail, including the crucial late restart that allowed him to secure the win. Hamlin’s reflection on his own performance revealed a realistic outlook; while he celebrated the victory, he admitted his car was not the outright fastest on the grid during the race.
Unpredictability in NASCAR: Speed Isn’t Everything
Hamlin was candid with Allen during the latest episode of their podcast, Actions Detrimental. The conversation delved into the perception that Toyota cars have set the pace this season, becoming the standard other manufacturers aim to beat. Still, Hamlin underscored that performance trends in NASCAR can be highly unpredictable, citing examples from other top drivers and teams who have experienced sudden surges in form.
Is this a good sign for Toyota that you won this race? Like in the past, you looked at Gateway and assumed a Ford was gonna win or at least be very strong.
—Jared Allen, Podcast Co-Host
The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran pointed out that drivers like Ryan Blaney demonstrated how trends can shift dramatically. Blaney, who was nearly absent from contention during the regular season in prior years, suddenly picked up wins in the playoffs, leaving many surprised by his newfound speed. Joey Logano followed a similar path, barely making it into the postseason but ultimately capturing the championship after a strong performance at Phoenix. Hamlin pointed out these cases to illustrate how expectations can be upended quickly in NASCAR.
The No. 12 [Blaney] came out of nowhere the last few years. It was non-existent for the most part in the regular season, and then the playoffs came, and all of a sudden, they won one of the playoff races, and then they won three or four. And everyone was like, ‘Where did the speed come from?’ It was overnight, like a light switch.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Why Betting on a Streak Is Risky
During the discussion, Hamlin emphasized that other drivers—like Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott—had faster cars than his No. 11 Toyota at Gateway. He stressed that the victory didn’t simply come down to being the quickest, underscoring that racing outcomes can hinge on many variables beyond observable speed. Reflecting on the win, Hamlin offered a warning to those eager to place too much confidence in the current Toyota run.
So, it’s just too unpredictable. It’s too unpredictable to sit here and understand things based on speed,
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
I still think it was anyone’s race, and the narrative could quickly change. So, I would pump the brakes.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin’s remarks highlight the dangers of overstating any one team or car’s dominance, especially in a sport as dynamic as NASCAR, where strategy, timing, and even split-second restarts play critical roles in outcomes.
The Dynamic Nature of NASCAR’s Season
Drawing on experiences from recent playoff seasons, Hamlin cautioned listeners not to fall into the trap of assuming a winning streak translates to long-term invincibility. He explained that what works in other sports, where momentum may have a greater influence, does not always apply in racing, given its multitude of variables and unpredictable incidents.
The Gateway win adds another achievement to Hamlin’s record and strengthens his standing within Joe Gibbs Racing and among NASCAR’s elite competitors. However, his reflections serve as a reminder that each race brings fresh challenges. With heavy competition from drivers like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano, Hamlin’s warning speaks directly to the unpredictability all teams face, regardless of recent results.
As the NASCAR season continues and the playoffs approach, fans and observers are likely to see more surprises. Denny Hamlin’s perspective offers valuable insight into why expectations should remain rooted in the realities of this unpredictable, high-stakes sport, rather than hype built solely on past performances or short-term dominance.
