Denny Hamlin has spoken candidly about the challenges he faces adapting to the new Denny Hamlin NASCAR horsepower adjustment introduced this season, following a remarkable 2025 campaign. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran pointed out that increased horsepower is forcing significant changes in the way drivers handle corner entry and race strategy.
NASCAR’s Power Increase Aims to Improve Competition
For the current season, NASCAR implemented a 750-horsepower increase for short tracks, road courses, and ovals under 1.5 miles in length. This rule was crafted to address difficulties in overtaking that emerged during the Next Gen Era, with NASCAR hoping that more power, combined with higher tire degradation, would boost the excitement and quality of races at these venues.
Hamlin, who totaled six wins last year and reached the milestone of 60 career victories, seemed poised for a championship. However, his title bid ultimately unraveled due to a late-race tire strategy mishap that dashed those hopes. While last year saw him dominating the series, this season tells a different story.
Difficulties Adjusting After a Successful Season
In the early stages of the new campaign, Denny Hamlin has found it tough to replicate his previous form. Through four races so far, the Virginia native has yet to start from inside the top ten and has only managed to lead 18 laps. In contrast, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell has already led 194 laps, underscoring the gap Hamlin is working to close.
Offering insight into the adjustment process on his podcast, Hamlin detailed how the additional horsepower alters key race dynamics, especially during corner entries.
“We do have additional horsepower, so the speed in which you’re entering the corners are different. Therefore, the amount of brake that you use on corner entry is now different. When we were wildly successful last fall, I mean, that the teammates take that and they tweak on it and they feel like they can make it a little better here and there. I thought that the 20 was better. I felt comfortable that we were a little better than the 19 and the 54. If we we wouldn’ve won yesterday, we would’ve had to stole it”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite these adaptations, Hamlin currently ranks 12th in the standings with 107 points. His recent fifth-place at Phoenix provided a much-needed boost, catapulting him up 11 spots in the points table.
Analyzing Hamlin’s Phoenix Race and Team Tactics
Reflecting on his Phoenix performance, Hamlin acknowledged both the strengths and limitations of his car compared to others in the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, as all three JGR drivers finished inside the top five.
“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,” Hamlin said in a post-race interview.
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
The Phoenix event also evoked memories of last season’s championship round misfortune for Hamlin. Just as before, different pit strategies on the final stops determined the outcome. Christopher Bell, his teammate, opted for four fresh tires, but Ryan Blaney’s two-tire decision gained him decisive track position. In last year’s finale, a similar gamble benefited Kyle Larson, but this time, Blaney claimed the win while Bell could not chase down the Penske driver.
The Broader Impact of Horsepower Changes on Drivers
The move to higher horsepower has prompted drivers like Hamlin, Bell, and other standouts to rethink their approach, with raw power raising the stakes for split-second decision-making at every corner. These changes have added layers of complexity for seasoned competitors, especially in adapting their strategies and capitalizing on the altered racing product. As the season progresses, drivers across Joe Gibbs Racing and the broader NASCAR field will be under pressure to adjust, especially as the championship race intensifies.
The outcome of these adjustments could play a pivotal role in determining who rises to the top of a reshaped competitive landscape. For Denny Hamlin, the path ahead remains fraught with challenges, but his experience and determination may provide the edge needed to master the demands of the Denny Hamlin NASCAR horsepower adjustment and stage a comeback as the season develops.
How does a title contender suddenly turn into a 5th-place car the next season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/cgTdcSis2p
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 10, 2026
