The most impressive aspect about Denny Hamlin’s playoff run is the fact that he’s still in it. Despite mistakes being made on the pit road, multiple incidents, and conservative strategies backfiring, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver remains in contention for the championship with two races to go. In many ways, his top-ten finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was somewhat of an achievement, considering the many setbacks that he faced at the 1.5-mile oval. However, Joey Logano’s victory means seven drivers will compete for three spots at the business end of the season.

Sharing his insight about the ongoing playoff situation, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has now voiced the uncertainty ahead of the penultimate race at Homstead-Miami. With the stakes being higher than ever, will any of the title contenders pull off a clutch performance?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. intrigued by playoff dynamics

It seemed like whatever could go wrong did go wrong for Denny Hamlin at the 2024 South Point 400. Despite starting the race in fourth place, the 43-year-old racing driver was relegated to 14th after a slow pit stop on Lap 33. He was forced to deal with yet another setback after Stage 2 when his left rear wheel got loose, forcing him back into the pits. If that wasn’t all, a vibration problem in his No. 11 Toyota added to his woes for the remaining 20 laps, even though his race was salvaged by a fuel strategy gamble devised by crew chief Chris Gabehart.

Even though Denny Hamlin was left with a bittersweet taste after the opening Round of Eight race, others didn’t seem to share the same sentiment. Junior is enjoying the ongoing playoff dynamics and said on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, “To me, that’s the best thing about NASCAR. Seeing a talented, great, elite individual in an uncomfortable position. What would they do? How will they perform? That’s what’s going to draw me to the television on Sunday, is that right there. Denny being down 27. If it was minus eight or relatively close, I’m not as intrigued. I’m more intrigued by seeing somebody do something unnatural or you know, unsurmountable.”

With two races to go at Homestead-Miami and Martinsville, Denny Hamlin does seem to have a difficult challenge in front of him.

As things stand, the racing veteran is fifth in the driver standings, 27 points below the elimination cutline going into the penultimate playoff race of the season. He may have won at Homestead’s 1.5-mile intermediate speedway thrice before, but not since the Next-Gen car was introduced. Martinsville could also present a good opportunity for the Florida native, who has secured back-to-back top-five finishes in the last two iterations of the Xfinity 500.

The fact that Hamlin is in contention for the title despite lackluster playoff results is an achievement in itself. Given his setbacks, the veteran said, “Frankly, I’m amazed we’re still in it. I’m amazed we’re still part of the playoffs”, highlighting just how relentless he has been in clawing his way to the Round of Eight.

If there’s one driver who can make it to Championship 4 against all odds, it’s Denny Hamlin. All he needs to do is take a leaf out of Joey Logano’s book and perform when it matters the most.

Denny Hamlin is hoping to win the title amidst the NASCAR lawsuit

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Won’t it be something if Denny Hamlin lifts the Bill France Cup after suing NASCAR and the France family for ‘monopolistic practices’? In the ultimate act of rebellion, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are taking the sanctioning body to court after refusing to sign the final charter proposal. With tensions being at an all-time high, the veteran racing driver could be making the ultimate statement to the sport’s hierarchy by lifting the championship under such circumstances.

Sharing his views on the hypothetical scenario, Denny Hamlin said, “Yeah, I would like to have that problem, truthfully. I always say if you have an issue, you cross that bridge when you get there, but it is a problem that I would love to have, but I would understand the responsibilities of a champion and certainly, knowing what I’m representing, I think I would be able to do a good job of separating the two.”

However, standing in his way are two more races to keep his title hopes alive. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is under no illusions about what needs to be done in the coming weeks, saying, “If you don’t run in the top three every stage – that’s four stages – and the race, there’s no way we make up that kind of ground.” The other option would be to simply secure his fourth victory of the season. While both scenarios are looking increasingly unlikely at the moment, stranger things have happened in NASCAR.

Will Denny Hamlin make it to Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway?