Denny Hamlin, gearing up for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff elimination race at Bristol, has made significant Denny Hamlin NASCAR playoff predictions about the drivers’ prospects and his own chances just days before the Round of 12 begins. Speaking ahead of the crucial weekend, Hamlin discussed strategy, threats, and why the coming tracks could be unpredictable for every contender vying for the championship.
Hamlin Outlines Strategy for Advancing in the Playoffs
Preparing for a pivotal stretch in the Cup Series Playoffs, Hamlin faces tough competition as the remaining 12 drivers battle for a spot in the next round. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin focused on the importance of building early momentum for the Round of 12.
“You need to get off to a hot start in the second round,”
he explained. Discussing the unique challenges presented by upcoming races, Hamlin singled out Talladega as an unpredictable track for all competitors, stating,
“Talladega (third-round race), I feel like, is level for everyone, where the Roval probably isn’t. My shot of wrecking at Talladega is probably the same percentage amount this it is for Austin Cindric or whoever, Ryan Blaney. I’m not worried about [Talladega] for those reasons. I know it’s going to be the roll of the dice, if I crap out, I crap out.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Recognizing the significance of the Roval, he pointed out that car speed will be essential, and emphasized the benefit of having more playoff points than his rivals. With this points advantage, Hamlin and his team can afford to focus on executing a strong performance early in the round.
Bristol’s High Stakes and Drivers Under Pressure
The Bristol race is an elimination event that will determine which drivers move forward in the playoffs. Hamlin described Bristol as a demanding track where being overly cautious while thinking about points can be detrimental.
“It’s just a very, very tough track to race scared,”
he remarked.
“Racing scared means looking at points.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
He suggested that Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric might approach the race with caution because of the challenging layout, which could impact their performance. However, Hamlin believes these experienced drivers are likely to secure their places above the cutoff line due to their approach and consistency.
Assessing Playoff Threats and Safe Bets
The playoff field features a cut line that separates those advancing from those at risk of elimination. Hamlin did not see any major threats emerging from the group currently below the cut line, stating,
“I see no one from the bottom four that is a threat to go out there and score 50 points.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver. He considers Chastain, Logano, and Cindric
“safe just based off of how they’re racing.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
If Hamlin’s forecast proves accurate, Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry—who all sit below the cut line—would need to pull off an upset victory at Bristol to avoid elimination. Dillon, trailing Cindric by only 11 points, faces pressure to outperform Cindric to snatch the last available place in the next round. The stakes remain high, and the pressure will be at its peak when the race begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bristol Motor Speedway, broadcast on the USA Network.
What’s Next as NASCAR’s Playoff Drama Unfolds
The upcoming race at Bristol is set to be a turning point in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR playoff predictions spotlight both the uncertainty and intensity of elimination races. Noting that established drivers like Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric are currently above the playoff threshold, Hamlin’s projections leave little hope for the bottom four unless someone can deliver a season-defining win. As the tension rises, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see which names join Hamlin and the rest of the contenders in the next round, and which will see their championship hopes fade under the lights at Bristol.
