Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, a prominent contender in the current Cup Series, has made surprising statements regarding his Denny Hamlin NASCAR playoff predictions as the competition advances into the Round of 12. Hamlin, who has enjoyed considerable success this season, offered unexpected insights about potential eliminations as the playoff race heads to New Hampshire.
Hamlin Leads Standings Heading Into New Hampshire
At 44, Denny Hamlin stands out with five victories this season, including a playoff win. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell, also contributed with standout performances at Darlington and Bristol, ensuring the team swept the Round of 16. Thanks to these results, Hamlin now sits atop the playoff standings, holding a 26-point advantage above the cutoff as points are reset following the Bristol race.
Ahead of Sunday’s race in New Hampshire, several drivers find themselves in a precarious position. Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick are currently below the cutoff, facing elimination unless their fortunes change dramatically by the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course event.
Unexpected Playoff Exit Prediction from Hamlin
During an episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin was asked which drivers he believed would not progress past the Round of 12. Contrary to what many fans might expect, Hamlin foresees Tyler Reddick making it past the cutoff, shifting the focus to a different high-profile driver who could miss out.
“I have a weird feeling about [Ryan] Blaney,”
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver and podcast host
Hamlin elaborated on his reasoning, referencing Blaney’s historical performance on different tracks. He acknowledged Blaney’s strengths at certain venues while expressing doubt regarding his adaptability to others, like the challenging road courses faced in upcoming rounds. Hamlin predicts three others will also fail to advance.
“And then Cindric, Logano and Chastain [to be eliminated].”
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver and podcast host
Ryan Blaney Maintains Strong Position Amid Doubts
Ryan Blaney, currently fifth in the standings, sits 19 points above the cutoff heading to New Hampshire and is widely viewed as a strong championship contender this season. Notably, Blaney has finished in the top five four times in his last five appearances, including a key victory at Daytona to close the regular season.
Bookmakers now consider Blaney the second favorite for the Cup Series title, just behind Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports. Given these achievements and odds, Hamlin’s call for an early Blaney exit is seen as an audacious prediction. Should Blaney fail to advance, it would come as a major shock to fans and analysts alike.
Current Playoff Standings Highlight Pressure Points
With the next elimination looming, the latest playoff standings show how tight the battle is for playoff survival. Denny Hamlin leads the way for Joe Gibbs Racing, with a slim margin separating drivers hovering near the cutoff:
1. Denny Hamlin (No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing): +26
T-2. Kyle Larson (No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports): +24
T-2. William Byron (No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports): +24
4. Christopher Bell (No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing): +20
5. Ryan Blaney (No. 12, Team Penske): +19
6. Chase Briscoe (No. 14, Stewart-Haas Racing): +10
7. Chase Elliott (No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports): +5
8. Bubba Wallace (No. 23, 23XI Racing): +1
— ROUND OF 8 CUTOFF LINE —
9. Austin Cindric (No. 2, Team Penske): -1
T-10. Ross Chastain (No. 1, Trackhouse Racing): -2
T-10. Joey Logano (No. 22, Team Penske): -2
12. Tyler Reddick (No. 45, 23XI Racing): -3
The razor-thin margins make every stage point and finish crucial, especially for contenders like Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell. Teams from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske all feature heavily, with drivers like Chase Briscoe and William Byron also locked in the playoff battle as the series moves to its next critical chapter.
Implications for the NASCAR Playoff Landscape
Denny Hamlin’s playoff predictions inject fresh tension and anticipation into an already turbulent NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture. If Hamlin’s forecast about Ryan Blaney bears out, it could upend expectations for the championship chase and alter strategies for both drivers and leading organizations. As the Round of 12 continues and the action shifts to Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see if Hamlin’s bold call becomes reality and which drivers step up under pressure.
