Joe Gibbs might have thought that he would have at least two cars in the championship race ahead of the round of 8. But unpredictability has gone up under the current format. At the end of the final round of 8 race in Martinsville, JGR’s three title hopes were reduced to one. However, all it takes to win the championship is one driver. After the race on Sunday, that one driver sent out a stern warning to his rivals who might be taking the team lightly after their recent debacles.

The 2023 Cup Series season has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as far as Joe Gibbs Racing is concerned. Martin Truex Jr won the regular season championship and seemed to be the strongest challenger at one point. Then, it was Denny Hamlin’s turn to showcase his skills and he was possibly the best driver for the majority of the playoffs. However, things really took a turn for the worse in the round of 8 for the legendary team owner.

Joe Gibbs Racing title contender oozes confidence ahead of Phoenix showdown

Now, going into the championship race in Phoenix, Joe Gibbs only has one driver in the playoffs. The unlikeliest of choices and a man no one really expected would outperform Hamlin and Truex is now his only title hope. That man is Christopher Bell. The 28-year-old sealed his place in the season finale with a jaw-dropping victory at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Bell has arguably been the best qualifier of the playoffs, taking pole position on multiple occasions. Miami gave him that elusive victory that he was looking for. The driver of the #20 displayed a decent performance in Martinsville, finishing P7 at the end of the race.

In the post-race press conference, Bell said that he was disappointed with his finish as he had been so much better the week before. But the 28-year-old driver acknowledged that P7 was a good result for him and the team. It will give him the momentum to take into the Phoenix Raceway.

“I don’t know, it was disappointing from my standpoint because I felt like I was going to be really good after yesterday’s practice, and it didn’t turn out, but seventh is a good finish and I’m excited about carrying the momentum into Phoenix,” Christopher Bell said.

When asked to give a preview of how things might look in the championship race, Joe Gibbs’ star sent out a stern warning to his title rivals. “We are going to have a rocket ship. I can’t wait to get out there,” he said.

As far as the rest of the JGR drivers were concerned, there was nothing but disappointment. Especially for someone like Denny Hamlin who perhaps wasted his best chance to land a maiden Cup Series title.

Read More – Denny Hamlin Blames “Mechanical Failure” for Yet Another Championship Loss, Plans on Spoiling the Party at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin bids adieu to the Cup race with an appreciative tweet

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Denny Hamlin is not exactly a spring chicken any longer. The driver of the #11 is 42-years-old and in the twilight years of his career. The JGR star had earlier admitted that he would rather enter the championship race as a driver than an owner. The opportunities he will get to win the Cup as a driver are dwindling.

Unfortunately, he will not be involved in the title battle as a driver or an owner in 2023. In a tweet after the Martinsville race, the driver of the #11 thanked the ones who supported him throughout the year. “Been a hell of a ride. Thank you 11 fans,” he wrote.

In Phoenix, Denny Hamlin’s sole job would be to assist Christopher Bell in his quest for the Cup Series. The 42-year-old is one of the best professionals on the grid and he will undoubtedly help his teammate out in whatever way he can. But for now, he will have to wait for at least another year before he gets a shot at the gold.

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