“It cost them some races, but it also won them a lot of races.” Kevin Harvick’s verdict on Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix was clear. Both drivers stayed in their lane and things worked out, didn’t it? While the 1-2 was certainly good for the team, there’s one drivers who might be sweating bullets: Denny Hamlin.

Kevin Harvick knows this very well. Behind Hamlin’s, “Great job by the whole Joe Gibbs team to give us some fast cars,” there is a growing concern of what Hamlin’s career will shape up to be this season.

Speaking about Hamlin, Kevin Harvick said, “Denny’s running out of opportunities to not only win a championship but to win races. He wants to win races. He’s capable of winning races and it’s like we talked previously on some of these shows as you get closer to the end and people know that you’re thinking about retiring, it becomes harder to get good people, it becomes harder to get motivated people. The team starts to understand and they’re going to give him a great effort. I don’t want this to be steered in Joe Gibbs Racing not giving him an effort but you know in your head the clock’s ticking down. So when you have those moments slip away like Denny Hamlin had slip away of being able to capitalize and win a race, and Denny winning that race would have completely quieted all the noise about everything that is going on with his new team and new scenarios and not having won a race and all that talk.

In a way, fans are already seeing its effects. Hamlin has already lost one of his biggest sponsors this year, FedEx. His long-time crew chief has been moved to a different position within Joe Gibbs Racing, and now, his lack of wins is becoming very apparent. His last win came in April last year, at the 2024 Würth 400. To pile on the pressure, Hamlin had a disappointing start to the 2025 season. He finished 21st and 24th at COTA and Daytona, respectively. Even his latest failure at Phoenix came because Bell pushed him high and snatched the win by 0.049 seconds.

“I don’t think he had a winning car I think there was a lot of things that happened at the end of that race that took three or four of those guys out but when he when he got to the front row and the money was on the line, he knows that those moments are are getting less and less to capitalize on not only race wins but putting himself in Contention to try to win another championship and quiet the noise,” said Harvick.

Hamlin‘s career has been marked by consistent performance and numerous achievements. He has qualified for the NASCAR Playoffs in 13 of his 14 full seasons, finishing in the top five on multiple occasions. In 2010, he won eight races and nearly captured the series title, finishing as the championship runner-up. However, despite these accomplishments, Hamlin has yet to secure the elusive championship, even as the 2025 season is in progress.

Speaking about his winless streak, Hamlin said a little while ago, “No, it’s been an eternity. It feels like years. But yeah, we started the year off so strong, so fast, and just the speed kind of tapered off as the year went on. You know, we got a little bit more consistent with our finishes once the playoffs started but just didn’t have the raw speed that we had early in the season.”

Moreover, his ongoing rivalry with Christopher Bell at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) adds another layer to his pressure. Their dynamic within the team has been a topic of conversation, with Hamlin’s outspoken nature and competitive spirit often leading to tension. This rivalry, along with inconsistent finishes, has put Hamlin’s future under the microscope.

As Hamlin continues his 19th full season, the stakes are high. He has publicly expressed his goal to win 60 Cup Series races, currently sitting at 54. A championship win would cement his legacy, and Harvick’s comments highlight the urgency and importance of securing victories in the coming races to keep those aspirations alive.

Will Denny Hamlin finally break the curse at Las Vegas?

For years, Denny Hamlin has been haunted by the one track that refuses to give him the victory he so desperately seeks—Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Despite his many successes across NASCAR’s most prestigious events, the Las Vegas race continues to be an elusive challenge for the veteran driver.

Hamlin has yet to secure a win at Las Vegas. His average finish at the track is around 13.6, with his best result being third place. In the 2024 season, he finished eighth at the track, starting from fourth and leading four laps. This shows that he has the potential to compete at the front, but converting these starts into wins has been elusive. With his current form and the pressure to perform, Hamlin might finally capitalize on his speed to claim a much-needed victory.

In 2025, the question remains: Will Denny Hamlin finally break the curse at Las Vegas? If he can conquer the track, it could be a game-changer not only for his season but for his legacy as a driver who came close, time and time again, but never quite crossed the finish line with the championship he’s worked so hard for.