Denny Hamlin expressed hesitancy regarding Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) chances at the Phoenix championship round, signaling concerns over their recent record at the track despite a strong playoff performance. After teammate Christopher Bell‘s win at Bristol, Hamlin is still leading the playoff standings, yet remains mindful of JGR’s history at Phoenix—a topic central to any team with title hopes, especially as the Denny Hamlin cautious Phoenix championship prospects narrative grows ahead of the Cup finale.
Recent Success Amid Lingering Doubt for JGR at Phoenix
Christopher Bell‘s victory at Bristol marked JGR’s third consecutive victory in the Round of 16, with Bell narrowly defeating Brad Keselowski by 0.343 seconds. Hamlin, however, finished 31st but managed to maintain a 26-point cushion above the cutline in the playoff standings, showing strength in the postseason. Still, following the race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin, now 44, signaled caution when asked about the team’s Phoenix outlook during a post-race exchange with Fox Sports‘ Bob Packrass.
“I mean, I don’t know. It’s all about Phoenix, right? That’s where they crown the champion. I don’t know the last time we won there. So, I don’t know. We’ll see,”
Denny Hamlin said. —Denny Hamlin, Driver
Phoenix Raceway continues to challenge JGR. Hamlin has not visited victory lane there since November 2019, finishing 11th in both races at the venue last season. Bell, who also has a pair of Phoenix victories, has yet to place better than fifth in the season-ending championship race. Briscoe, another contender, scored a Phoenix win in 2022, but has failed to break inside the top-20 in the closing rounds of recent seasons.
The odds appear less favorable for JGR drivers at Phoenix in the Next Gen car era, with average finishes trailing those posted by key rivals. In particular, Kyle Larson and William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports, along with Ryan Blaney from Team Penske, have consistently stronger showing at the Arizona track compared to their JGR counterparts.
Hamlin’s Tire Strategy Reflections at Bristol
Hamlin’s night at Bristol did not play out as planned, starting deep in the field at 31st and eventually finishing five laps down. Questions from the media turned to tire choices, specifically the potential return of softer tire compounds, a subject Hamlin addressed with measured support but encouraged a toned-down approach.
“Certainly a version of it I think would be cool,”
Denny Hamlin told Bob Pockrass. —Denny Hamlin, Driver
The Bristol Night Race was marked by rampant tire degradation and chaos, with 14 cautions disrupting any rhythm. On a late race restart with new tires on lap 373, Hamlin’s car lost the right-front tire just twelve laps later in turn one, leading his Toyota to veer and collect both AJ Allmendinger and William Byron. This incident earned Hamlin a two-lap penalty, compounding his struggles that night.
Ty Gibbs managed to control the field for 201 laps—most among all competitors—but ultimately lost ground because of pit road mishaps, settling for a 10th-place finish rather than contending for the win.
“It seemed like some others were able to go a little bit longer than what I was. But, yeah, I mean, a version of this, but, you know, maybe something a little bit less aggressive,”
he added. —Denny Hamlin, Driver
Looking Toward the Next Playoff Rounds
The playoffs now shift to the Round of 12, beginning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway before moving to Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. With key competitors like Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell all vying for top spots, every race becomes crucial in the quest to advance and contend for the Cup championship. As Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota recalibrate for upcoming challenges, Hamlin’s perspective underscores the uncertainty and heightened competition that define this postseason run.
The outlook for JGR at the Phoenix championship round remains a focal point, with Denny Hamlin’s cautious stance reflecting the collective tension as teams and fans anticipate how the final races will play out.
