Denny Hamlin secured his strongest result so far in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series by finishing fifth at the Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, an important showing for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Despite collecting key points and staying in the lead group for much of the 312-lap contest, Hamlin acknowledged that his car lacked the outright speed needed to challenge for victory at the Straight Talk Wireless 500, reflecting on the experience as a solid effort but admitting there is room for improvement for future races.
Hamlin’s Honest Evaluation of His Performance
After securing his first top-five result in four starts this season, Denny Hamlin provided a blunt assessment of his team’s day at Phoenix Raceway. While the No. 11 car consistently ran in the mix and earned valuable stage points, Hamlin described a persistent challenge when trying to contend with leaders such as Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, who both excelled during the race.
“Not enough. That’s a good overall summary. We just didn’t have the ‘it’ that we needed. I felt like I was always just a little behind the 20 and the 12. I thought we were kind of the next tier of cars, but we didn’t have anything more than that.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin highlighted that both Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Toyota and Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Ford set the pace, with Blaney ultimately overtaking Ty Gibbs late in the race to seize his first win of 2026, finishing ahead of Bell by less than half a second. Kyle Larson completed the podium, while Ty Gibbs and Hamlin rounded out the top five. During the early race stages, Hamlin remained competitive, grabbing fifth in Stage 1 and improving to second in Stage 2, trailing only Bell.
Challenges on Pit Road and Team Adjustments
The Joe Gibbs Racing team’s efforts on pit road affected Hamlin’s position throughout the contest. He openly discussed how pit road difficulties made it difficult to capitalize even when he found himself among the leaders, emphasizing the importance of consistent performance from all crew members during pit stops.
“We had some issues when we did have track position. We didn’t have a great day on pit road. They had a great day when we were kind of in the middle of the pack. But those are the ebbs and flows. Everyone is trying to get reps and rhythm for the season. We’ve just got to work on it and get a little better for sure.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite these setbacks, Hamlin felt that the car performed largely as anticipated entering the weekend. Adjustments made prior to the race brought incremental improvement, but not enough to match the race-winning pace necessary for a shot at victory.
“This is exactly what I thought we were. I thought we probably improved our car about three to four spots overnight. But we were going to need a big chunk overnight to be a race-winning car, and we just didn’t have enough tools in the toolbox to adjust that much.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Nonetheless, both strong stage results and the final finish allowed the team to accrue crucial points, contributing to Hamlin’s move to 12th in the current standings as the season progresses.
Tire Strategy and Frequent Cautions Shape the Action
Throughout the Straight Talk Wireless 500, the one-mile Phoenix Raceway oval saw numerous caution periods. Instances of aggressive driving and tire management challenges created unpredictable situations for many teams. Goodyear’s tire choice for the event provided competitors with new strategic options, but it also introduced risks, as several cars suffered tire-related damage or failures after pushing the envelope in search of better performance.
“It looked like wrecks and debris. There was a lot of tire damage and tire issues with guys pushing the limits. Goodyear brought another tire here that’s great. It really allows the driver and the team to control their destiny. It’s always going to be a battle of how hard you can push it.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite the recurring cautions, Hamlin regarded the racing quality as high, particularly noting how close battles and restarts often led to incident-filled but engaging competition.
“I thought the racing was great. Overall, there were just a lot of cautions because of restarts and guys getting into each other. That’s just part of it.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Implications for the Season and What Lies Ahead
Denny Hamlin’s performance at Phoenix Raceway, although not yielding a win, signifies forward progress for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver after a challenging start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. By earning his best finish through four events, he and his team have strengthened their position in the overall standings. While persistent race pace and pit execution remain priorities, Hamlin’s willingness to candidly assess both successes and shortcomings indicates a determination within the team to keep improving as the schedule advances.
With the next round approaching, Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing will aim to build on the lessons learned from Phoenix, seeking the adjustments needed to convert top-five finishes into victories. As the NASCAR Cup Series continues, the intensity and competition are certain to remain high, keeping drivers like Hamlin focused on every opportunity for advancement.
.@dennyhamlin reflects on his day at Phoenix Raceway, where he locked down a fifth place finish.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 9, 2026
