Denny Hamlin, a driver known for never backing down from a challenge, seems to have hit a rough patch. With 54 career Cup Series wins, his talent is unquestionable, but after 19 long years of chasing that elusive championship, the finish line still remains out of reach. His recent performances, including a disappointing P23 finish at The Glen, have raised eyebrows, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering if Hamlin has lost some of his fire.

Kevin Harvick, who’s raced against Hamlin for years, believes the Joe Gibbs Racing driver needs to reconnect with what made him successful in the first place. As Bristol looms on the horizon, a track where Hamlin could potentially face elimination, Harvick suggests that Hamlin must dig deep and bring the intensity that fueled his prime years.

With everything on the line, Hamlin needs to deliver his best performance yet. The question is, can he summon the drive and determination that once made him a formidable force, or will Bristol mark another chapter in his 19-year quest for a championship that still eludes him? The clock is ticking, and Hamlin’s next move could define his legacy.

Denny Hamlin’s position before Bristol

Nineteen years in a sport without a champion is not something any driver wants. The frustration from not winning all these years has now come down to him going from the clean rookie he was in his early days to the controversy-spinning driver he is now.

“I beat your favourite driver,” Hamlin’s infamous words still echo among fans. However, the bold statement during his prime has now gone silent. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, the host discussed the position that Hamlin is in. Harvick makes it clear that he wants Hamlin to win, and he has some tips for him.

After the difficult start of the playoffs, Hamlin finds himself on the bubble. Bristol will be Hamlin’s last chance to make it into the top 12, and Harvick lacks the confidence in the JGR driver.

But going by Hamlin’s track record, Harvick mentioned, “I don’t have the utmost confidence that they can pull out of it, unfortunately, but I think if they are, they’re happy that they’re going to Bristol. “

The podcast team agreed that with Hamlin winning 2 out of the last 3 races at Bristol, he has good control over the track. Adding in to say, “Going to Bristol is like a step up on the confidence bracket.”

Ultimately speaking of how Hamlin made a reputation for himself when Netflix came out with the NASCAR series. Saying that JGR needs the “I beat your favorite driver” attitude back, they concluded, saying that if Hamlin “shows up and drives this weekend, they’ll be fine.”

Denny Hamlin’s performance at Watkins Glen

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One of the first things to happen to Denny Hamlin at The Glen was that he got involved in the bus stop crash. Although he made it to the pit stops and the team worked on his car, there was still some significant damage.

Despite driving a car with a gaping hole in his front bumper, Hamlin persevered and finished the race at P23. Atlanta was no better because it was a similar story of getting involved in another driver’s wreck and finishing P24.

With such a slump going on amidst the playoffs, Bristol emerges as hope at the end of the tunnel. With 4 wins in total at the track, he is not close to what Darrell Waltrip achieved with his 12 wins, but going by the fact that this year and last year, Hamlin conquered Bristol, there is hope for the team.

Sure, his win from this year was negated by NASCAR due to a penalty for not getting his race-winning engine checked, but what really matters here is that he did have the pace to make it happen.

Considering Bristol is the next race, do you think that Hamlin will be able to bring back the villain and win the race?