In NASCAR, #11’s car is synonymous with consistency. Over the course of the 2023 Cup Series season, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has etched his mark in the record books with three remarkable victories, 17 impressive top-10 finishes, and an impressive 13 top-5 placements. With such an impressive stat sheet, it’s hard to argue against the notion that he might very well clinch the 2023 title.

Yet, it’s precisely this steadfast reliability that instills a sense of unease in the hearts of his fans, for they do not want it to be jinxed again. The JGR favorite has made the playoffs a second home, with only one exception—the tumultuous 2013 season. A collision with Joey Logano led to a lower back injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of that campaign. Nevertheless, the track record of the No. 11 Toyota driver speaks volumes. In all 17 seasons of full-time competition (as of 2023), including his rookie year back in 2006, he’s secured a coveted spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

What sets this season apart is the unwavering confidence displayed by a NASCAR insider. The insider has unflinchingly reiterated his belief in #11’s prowess, even as he currently occupies the fourth position in the playoff standings.

NASCAR Insider boldly crowns the star of Joe Gibbs Racing as the 2023 Cup Champion

Across the seven high-stakes playoff races, Joe Gibbs’ track record speaks volumes. Rare are the occasions when he didn’t secure a top-10 finish—only twice, to be exact. One instance was at Darlington, where the 11, ever the perfectionist, suspected a loose tire, and the other occurred at the Roval, when his car performed an unexpected pirouette, resulting in right-side damage. In the most recent showdown in Las Vegas, he displayed his mettle by finishing a respectable 10th.

Parker Kligerman, a prominent NASCAR insider, lent his voice to the chorus of those heralding Denny Hamlin‘s potential triumph. He noted, “Well, first of all, he is Denny freaking Hamlin, so. And I think the #11 team is probably the top race team in all of NASCAR right now in a lot of ways, from top to bottom; they execute at such a high level. I have such a respect for this race team, and when I see them talk about it and what they sort of look at and how they think about the sport differently throughout everything they do basically. So to me, I pinned Denny Hamlin back in February as my champion.”

Kligerman’s faith in Hamlin doesn’t waver. He firmly believes that this is the year when Hamlin and his team will finally seize the coveted championship. There’s a sense of determination and a knack for rising to the occasion that Denny Hamlin embodies. Even if this weekend proves to be less eventful, with Martinsville on the horizon, Kligerman remains unshaken, convinced that the #11 team is on a collision course with a championship showdown at Phoenix.

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Indeed, the confidence radiating from those around Hamlin mirrors his own self-assurance. Throughout the years, he has repeatedly declared that that particular year would be the one to shed his championship-less label. However, with the unwavering consistency he’s demonstrated on the track, it appears that Hamlin’s prophecy may indeed come to fruition in 2023.

Denny Hamlin is drawing lessons from the past and envisioning a bright future

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In a candid conversation with the media ahead of the Las Vegas race, Denny Hamlin offered a glimpse into his mindset, blending optimism with a hint of uncertainty as he navigated the remaining races en route to the season finale. He also delved into the question of whether he still believed this could be the year he finally achieved his elusive goal.

Denny Hamlin reflected, “Last year we didn’t make it; there was a lot of different factors in that. We didn’t have as many playoff points last year as well. So I think that kind of repeat performance probably would get you in, but who knows? We don’t know; we are just so week to week, and you really can’t think about the end result. You just have to think about the next shot, and that’s this weekend.”

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Hamlin’s last year’s championship hopes were dashed when Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain executed a breathtaking wall-riding maneuver at Martinsville Speedway, eliminating the JGR driver from the championship 4. However, this time around, there’s an air of hope that Denny Hamlin’s long-cherished dream, nurtured over 18 years of relentless pursuit, might finally become a reality.