Denny Hamlin‘s mechanical issues have cast doubt on his bid for the NASCAR Cup Series championship as the season approaches its final race at Phoenix. As the competition tightens among the top drivers, Hamlin’s reliability concerns are now under the spotlight for NASCAR fans and analysts alike.
Hamlin’s Campaign Marred by Mechanical Setbacks
Denny Hamlin secured his place in the Championship 4 with an early win in the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, sending a strong signal of intent for this NASCAR season. However, just as his momentum grew, mechanical problems returned at the Martinsville Speedway elimination race. While running second in his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 toyota/”>Toyota, Hamlin’s car began to emit smoke and, with no warning, the engine shut down, forcing him to finish 24th. Hamlin recounted after the race that the power cut out unexpectedly, compounding the challenges he’s faced during pivotal moments this year.
The latest episode of The Teardown podcast featured NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi providing an overview of the precarious state of the title pursuit, specifically addressing Hamlin’s mechanical vulnerabilities.
“This is the most wide open I have felt this championship four field has been in a long time. You can make a case for any of the four. Legitimately, all four of these teams come in running very very well. There’s maybe a little bit of concern with the 11 right now, the mechanical gremlins that seem to be popping up. You know, I don’t know how you interpret that a little bit,” Bianchi said.
Strong Performances Undermined by Reliability Issues
Despite leading the entire NASCAR Cup field in total wins for the season, Hamlin’s campaign has been far from smooth. Notably, he has encountered several technical challenges: throttle malfunctions at Talladega and power-steering issues at Kansas earlier this year. These disruptions have tested both his resilience as a driver and the preparedness of Joe Gibbs Racing, leaving observers to question whether similar problems might strike again at the most critical juncture.
“All four of these drivers are legit. They arguably are the four best drivers on the season. If you look at some of the stats in terms of laps led, average finish, points, you know, whatever metric you want to use, they’re all in the discussion for this,” Bianchi added.
Hamlin’s persistent problems stand out in a year when no single team has maintained dominance, according to Bianchi’s earlier analysis prior to the Martinsville event. This unpredictable environment has contributed to an unusually open contest as the championship decision looms.
Rival Drivers’ Form Heading Into Phoenix Finale
Among the Championship 4, William Byron has been setting the pace, leading 1,278 laps this year and holding an average finish of 8.0 across seven playoff races. Kyle Larson, another major contender, has notched three wins, tying him with Byron and Briscoe, yet hasn’t reached victory lane in the 23 races since his triumph at Kansas in May.
Hamlin, while boasting six wins, 14 top-5 finishes, and leading for 816 laps, has a Phoenix track record that falls short of both Byron and Larson from Hendrick Motorsports over the last seven starts. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Briscoe, has enjoyed a standout season, chalking up three victories, 15 top-five results, and seven pole positions. Although Briscoe won his first Cup race at Phoenix in 2022, his average finish at the track ranks lowest among the title contenders this season.
Anticipation Builds for High-Stakes Cup Finale
The decisive race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Season is set for this Sunday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Phoenix. With the field’s leading drivers showing consistent speed but facing different challenges, especially with Denny Hamlin’s ongoing mechanical issues, excitement and uncertainty hang over the championship finale. Fans, analysts, and teams will be watching closely to see if Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing can overcome these setbacks, or if another contender will capitalize, seizing the championship in a season defined by unpredictability.
Is this the most wide-open Championship 4 we’ve ever had? 👀
Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Teardown — out now! 🔥
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