Can Denny Hamlin Edge Over His Biggest Championship Nemesis to Break Joe Gibbs’ Texas Curse?

If there is anyone in white-hot form in NASCAR right now, it is Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won the final round of 16 race at Bristol and came second in the race before that at Kansas. Hamlin was in contention for the win at Darlington as well, but a pit road mishap cost him track position. Going into Texas, his confidence will be at an all-time high, but he will have to deal with one of his biggest title rivals and an unusual curse.

The previous weekend, Hamlin finally got what he had been craving for weeks when he put in a dominant performance to emerge victorious at Bristol. He could have won both the previous races but missed out and went into the final round of 16 race with a point to prove. Now that he has proven his point, the 42-year-old’s confidence is at an all-time high as he chases his first Cup Series title.

Denny Hamlin’s rival can make a strong comeback

But Denny Hamlin will not have it easy in the round of 12. As the playoff field thins out, drivers get more competitive and aggressive in order to secure their place in the next round. And the mile-and-a-half track at Texas is not exactly the easiest place to race.

As a matter of fact, drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing have just not been able to figure the track out of late. The last JGR man who won the Texas race was Kyle Busch back in 2020. Since then, no one from the team, not even Denny Hamlin, has been able to get their act right at the Texas Motor Speedway.

But given the form he is in, it would be unwise to bet against Denny Hamlin. He is a seasoned veteran with years of experience behind him, paired with an all-time high confidence. This is perhaps one of the best chances he has to win that elusive Cup Series crown and the outspoken 42-year-old will not stop at anything.

However, he can be stopped. While Denny Hamlin is enjoying his best run so far in the season, there is one man who made it through to the round of 12 by a whisker. And now, he will have a massive point to prove. The driver in question is none other than Denny Hamlin’s teammate, Martin Truex Jr.

It is important to understand that while Truex has been on the end of some bad luck at the moment, he is the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion, and he will not give up on his title charge without a fight.

The 43-year-old is just as experienced as Hamlin and he is as tough as they come. After the Bristol race, Truex revealed that he had been driving with an injured wrist and he still managed to make it through to the round of 12 from a disadvantageous position.

His confidence will be high ahead of Texas and having received a second chance, the 43-year-old will do everything he can to win the Cup Series championship. NASCAR insider Steve Letarte said it best a few days before the Bristol race.

“I will say this. If they do advance, look out. Because if they advance, they get those 30-something points back and I will tell you, it will be like a second wind you have not seen. If Martin Truex Jr. advances, look out,” he had said.

But will Martin Truex Jr be able to defeat a Denny Hamlin who is in such good form? Well, their individual statistics at the Texas Motor Speedway certainly give the upper hand to the #11 driver.

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All the signs point to Hamlin’s reigning supreme

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Let’s take a look at Denny Hamlin first. The 42-year-old has some fond memories of the Texas Motor Speedway as he has won on its asphalt thrice, although the last victory came four years ago. He has started 34 races at the track and has finished in the top five eight times, which is a good record.

Hamlin’s last five races at the track have seen him finish in the top 10 three times and finish as high as second. His last five results at the Texas Motor Speedway are 10th, 2nd, 11th, 21st and 9th.

On the other hand, Martin Truex Jr. has never won a race and finished in the top five only thrice at the Texas Motor Speedway in 35 starts. The results of his last five races are not exactly convincing either. He has finished 31st, 14th, 25th, 13th and 2nd.

All the numbers and current form point to Denny Hamlin reigning supreme over his teammate, but this is NASCAR. Nothing can be predicted and we might just see a Martin Truex Jr resurgence. Who do you think will come out on top?

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