Bristol has seen an array of champions, out of whom two Hendrick Motorsports drivers stand out. One is Jimmie Johnson, and the other is Jeff Gordon. The latter has won 5 races at the venue and called it “one of those tracks that brings the fan out in all of us.” The former has won two. But, in between them is Denny Hamlin, winning 4 races. Last spring, Denny Hamlin put on a clinical performance at Bristol. He nailed qualifying, held his spot up front, and took home another trophy. It’s like Bristol bends to his will, no matter what the track throws at him.

This guy’s got a shot to do something huge, something that could echo Jimmie Johnson’s legendary three-in-a-row NASCAR streak from 2007. The icing on the top? He would tie Gordon’s wins, too! Hamlin’s already nabbed two straight wins, and now, with Joe Gibbs Racing looking unstoppable, Bristol could be his stage to make history. JGR had a rough start at Darlington, fading to the back early, but the comeback was gold. This is where they shine, and Hamlin’s leading the charge. Bristol Motor Speedway is electric right now, and it’s hard to shake this feeling that it’s Denny Hamlin’s time again.

NASCAR insider backs the winning horse

The Food City 500 is just days away on April 13, 2025, and the anticipation is building up. The odds-makers have pegged him as the favorite, and after watching him dominate this track twice last year, it’s hard not to get swept up in the hype. Listen to this insider take of the hilarious Dale Tarnhardt (Sorry Junior, be he got some good points). He said, “Denny Hamlin, I feel like, is the best driver in both of those scenarios. Obviously, he won the race here last spring with the superior tire management, and then in the fall, even when we don’t have a lot of tire fall off, he typically qualifies well and is contending for the win.”

He explained to host Eric Estepp, “So yeah, I would not be surprised if Denny gets three in a row. I mean, it’s just, the stars have aligned for him, and it blows my mind, Eric, because he was not a contender last week at Darlington, but with… How difficult passing was and one untimely caution, it definitely helped him and Christopher Bell out on getting track position when guys like Byron, Blaney, (and) Buescher were probably the guys to beat overall. But I think it’s going to be a different story here. I don’t think you see Joe Gibbs Racing tanking to the back like they did in the early stages of Darlington, which was bizarre, don’t get me wrong, but Bristol’s been unbelievable for those guys.” 

Two wins in a row at Bristol is incredible, but three? That’s the kind of history that gets your pulse racing. Can he do it? Man, I’m torn between hope and nerves just thinking about it. The numbers don’t lie. He’s won it 4 times at Bristol, out of which 2 wins came back-to-back appearances. He’s got a knack for finishing near the top, racking up laps led and strong runs year after year. Even FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass is in sync, too: “Denny Hamlin’s quest for 60 career wins feels closer than ever at Bristol.”

He’s at 58 now, and that milestone’s dangling right in front of him. This weekend will be a “strategic showdown,” with Hamlin himself hinting at the tire game being a total wildcard. In an interview, he said, “Bristol’s about adapting—tires, track position, everything. I thrive on that.” Whether it’s chaos or control, he’s got the edge. NASCAR.com’s power rankings even bumped him up after Darlington.

Still, it’s not a cakewalk. The Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson showdown is building up for Bristol! Larson’s got that hunger, and he’s not alone—William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Chris Buescher were the ones to beat at Darlington until that caution shook things up. Hamlin’s delivering a brutal reality check, and Bristol’s no feast on a silver platter kinda track. One slip-up, a bad pit stop, a misjudged move, and it could all unravel.

“James Small has been fantastic at tracks like Darlington, here. When are they going to just click? Get out and put a full race together, so I think Gibbs entirely is going to be fantastic, and as we talked about, starts with Denny Hamlin,” Tarnhardt said, and rightly so! Which team owner does not want to see their driver lift the trophy? However, it’s not like Denny Hamlin is the only JGR driver who has performed here.

“That’s not just talk—that’s belief, and it’s got me buzzing. They’re not only betting on Hamlin but the whole JGR crew. Ty Gibbs has led laps here before, and Chase Briscoe is itching for that breakout moment with crew chief James Small. It’s a team effort, but Hamlin’s the spark,” concluded Tarnhardt. It’s not about the best racer; it’s about the strongest team.

After defying the odds at Darlington, Hamlin’s got that fire burning bright. Christopher Bell would be tensed about his JGR teammate’s 3-peat attempt, and that too in the same season! But one man would be as happy as ever, Coach Joe Gibbs. Hamlin is coming back hard to wield that sword once again. Well, there are upsides of him winning. We can see goofy moments with the trophy on the JGR social media accounts. Remember what happened last time?

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Denny Hamlin’s hilarious Bristol Sword culinary skills

Denny Hamlin just took things to a whole new level for Bristol in 2024. After winning the Food City 500 last time, he was handed the big, shiny Bristol sword—you know, that epic trophy they give the champ. Most guys would just hoist it up, smile for the cameras, and call it a day. But Denny? He turned it into something hilarious and heartwarming.

In a video posted by his team, JGR’s caption read, “Welcome to the DH cooking show! Today’s recipe is a salad… with the Bristol Sword! 🗡️”. Hamlin traded the racetrack for a kitchen counter. Dressed in his racing gear, he’s wielding that massive sword like a chef gone wild, chopping vegetables for a makeshift cooking show. The pure joy radiating off him as he slices away, clearly loving every second of this goofy moment.

His fiancée, Jordan Fish, also got cracking up and chiming in by leaving a comment “Dear God woman” on the same video. You can tell they’re just soaking in the fun, and it’s infectious. After the tough loss of his dog Spartan earlier this year, seeing him light up like this hits different.

Watching him swing that thing around, his track rivals would be alarmed already adding to his change in fortunes in the last two clashes.