Denny Hamlin has identified William Byron and Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports as top contenders for the upcoming Martinsville Speedway race, a key event for drivers aiming to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4. In the emotionally charged build-up to Martinsville, Hamlin’s insights reflect the heightened conflicts and intense competition in the final stages of the 2025 Cup Series playoffs, with the Denny Hamlin Martinsville favorites now taking center stage.
Hamlin’s Recent Victory Pushes JGR Into Title Contention
Joe Gibbs Racing has emerged as a formidable force in the battle for the 2025 Cup Series championship, particularly after Denny Hamlin clinched victory at the Las Vegas Round of 8 opener. That win automatically advanced Hamlin to the Championship 4, solidifying both his and the team’s standing as top contenders. Chase Briscoe’s subsequent triumph at Talladega set the stage for a tumultuous playoff landscape, as the series moves toward its critical phases.
Martinsville: A Crucial Test for Playoff Hopes
The action now shifts to Martinsville Speedway, known as the ‘Paperclip,’ marking the penultimate race of the season. This event is the last chance for the remaining playoff drivers to secure their passage to Phoenix, keeping tension at an all-time high. Despite setbacks for Hendrick Motorsports at Talladega—where Chase Elliott was caught in a multi-car crash and William Byron lost out in the closing moments—Hamlin still sees their drivers as key threats at Martinsville.
Hendrick Drivers Tipped As Favorites Despite Talladega Troubles
Though Hendrick Motorsports endured challenges at Talladega, Hamlin continues to rate their chances highly at Martinsville. When asked on the ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast who might surprise him with a win, Hamlin directly addressed Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, saying,
“The easy answer is Ryan Blaney because he’s done it before,”
referencing Blaney’s recent Cup Series successes. Shifting the spotlight, Hamlin added,
“Who am I least surprised? Blaney. Who would I not be surprised? Byron and Elliott,”
confirming that William Byron and Chase Elliott are at the forefront of his Martinsville watchlist. — Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver
William Byron currently sits 36 points below the elimination cutline, and Chase Elliott faces a 62-point deficit, putting both in must-win territory for Martinsville. Despite this, Hamlin clearly believes they are capable, ranking the HMS duo among his leading favorites alongside other big names.
Offering further insight into his reasoning, Hamlin stated,
“I think William has the potential to go sit on the pole and dominate the race and you know it becomes execution at that point. But then I put Chase Elliott right at A, 1A, 1B.”
— Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver
His analysis underlines Byron and Elliott’s speed and execution as crucial factors, while painting a picture of fierce competition:
“I know that’s not the answer you’re looking for, but I’m telling you, three of the favorites are freaking fifth, seventh, and eighth.”
— Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver
The Challenge from JGR and Other Playoff Rivals
While Hamlin is keenly aware of HMS’s capabilities, his focus remains tightly on Joe Gibbs Racing’s prospects and the ongoing points battle among his teammates and rivals. The playoff fight has grown particularly tense between Christopher Bell of JGR and Kyle Larson of HMS. Hamlin stressed the critical need for reliability on his side, warning,
“We’ve got to get our s— together at the shop to keep our cars from breaking down.”
— Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver
Christopher Bell enters Martinsville with four wins this season and a narrow one-point margin over the elimination line, while Kyle Larson stands safely above by 36 points. Yet, Hamlin knows that if a driver outside the top four in points—like Byron or Elliott—claims a Martinsville win, a shake-up could eliminate one of the top contenders heading into Phoenix.
Kyle Larson, reflecting on his upcoming challenge, remarked on the pressure to outperform those around him, especially Bell:
“Then kind of got to fight with (Christopher Bell) throughout the night and try to outpoint him. We have a decent Martinsville package, as does everybody in the Round of 8, so it’ll be a fight. Even if I didn’t win, I wish we would have had those 20 spots at least, so that part sucks.”
— Kyle Larson, HMS Driver
With playoff hopes on the line, Penske drivers also remain serious contenders for a breakthrough victory. Larson acknowledged their strength, saying,
“You’ve got to assume that one of those guys below the cutline is going to win (at Martinsville). They’re all really good there.”
— Kyle Larson, HMS Driver
Martinsville’s Decisive Role in Shaping the Championship Battle
The drama at Martinsville Speedway is set to reach its peak as Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson all vie for a critical place in the Championship 4. The outcome carries immense significance, determining who will advance to the final showdown at Phoenix and who will see their dreams cut short at NASCAR’s legendary short track. Whether Hamlin’s predictions on the Denny Hamlin Martinsville favorites prove accurate or surprise finishers emerge, fans and teams alike are bracing themselves for a turbulent, fiercely contested penultimate round.
