Denny Hamlin secured his first top-five finish of the NASCAR Cup Series season during Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, but the veteran driver openly expressed that his team still needs to step up their game for future races. Hamlin, reflecting on his Denny Hamlin Phoenix performance, shared candid thoughts about what improvements are necessary to build momentum as the season continues.
Hamlin’s Honest Reaction After Phoenix Race
With the NASCAR season four races in, Ryan Blaney claimed victory at Phoenix, followed by Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe. All Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) cars managed to finish in the top five, marking an early season highlight for the team. Despite this achievement, Hamlin remained careful not to overstate his satisfaction with the result, maintaining his intense approach to competition.
“Yeah, it’s just a fringe top three to four car all day. That’s kind of all we had in the 20th and the 12th. We’re obviously little standouts there. But yeah, a great, great job by our Bob’s furniture Camry. Just need to be a little better.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
The Phoenix track carries special meaning for Hamlin. The last time he raced there was during the 2025 Championship event, where he dominated much of the race by leading 208 of 319 laps, ultimately finishing second. Entering this year’s Phoenix race, the Tampa, Florida native was ranked 23rd in the standings, indicating there is work ahead to return to title contention.
“I’m still angry at the track a little bit,”
Hamlin told NASCAR.com.
“But the track doesn’t have a soul, so it can’t feel the things I feel. Haven’t had a whole lot of races since we were here for the championship, so just trying to get acclimated with where we are at this point and seeing if we can we replicate some of the magic we had.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Balancing Roles: Competitor and Team Owner
Hamlin is facing the challenge of balancing his role as a NASCAR Cup Series contender with his responsibilities as co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. The team has already notched a major achievement this season, with Tyler Reddick giving 23XI Racing its first-ever Daytona 500 win.
Tyler Reddick’s dominance has continued through the early season, earning victories at both EchoPark Speedway and the Circuit of the Americas. With these consecutive wins, Reddick became the only driver ever to win the opening three races of a NASCAR Cup Series season. His performance stands out amidst a highly competitive field that includes drivers like Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell.
Hamlin Praises Reddick’s Growth Amid NASCAR Milestones
Hamlin has been vocal about his admiration for Tyler Reddick’s rapid development and unprecedented three-race winning streak. He recognizes Reddick’s ability not just on the oval at Daytona International Speedway, but also in triumphs over road course experts like Shane van Gisbergen at COTA, further proving Reddick’s adaptability and strength.
“He’s complete,” Denny Hamlin said of Reddick (NASCAR.com). “I mean, the one area that we continue to work on with him is the short tracks. I think that’s where he can still improve a little bit, but we’re working pretty hard on improving him at those types of tracks. But he’s complete and certainly more complete than I am at this stage.“ – Denny Hamlin, Driver/Owner
With Hamlin driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry for JGR and guiding Reddick at 23XI, his efforts span both his own title pursuit and his commitment to nurturing new talent. Meanwhile, the field of drivers, including standouts like Blaney, Bell, Gibbs, Larson, and Briscoe, continues to showcase the depth of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series.
What’s Next for Denny Hamlin and the NASCAR Field?
The momentum from Phoenix now shifts to the upcoming Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scheduled for March 15. Drivers and fans alike are eager to see whether Hamlin and his JGR teammates can harness the lessons learned from their Phoenix outing and whether Reddick can continue his historic run as the Cup Series campaign unfolds. The race will be broadcast live on FS1, with radio coverage available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, offering fans multiple ways to stay connected with the action.
The ongoing battle for the series championship, combined with new storylines like Reddick’s rise and Hamlin’s candid push for better performance, promises a season filled with drama, determination, and relentless pursuit of victory in NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
A Top-5 finish for Denny Hamlin in Phoenix.@ReganSmith | https://t.co/kIpAkwq3Do pic.twitter.com/DysL7KWen0
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 8, 2026
