dropping the Championship race to Kyle Larson within the closing moments was the final nail within the coffin for NASCAR’s playoff format. Over time, followers continued blaming it for not rewarding the season’s finest performer, and the game lastly listened, bringing again the Chase format for the championship. However whether or not the format or some other change, the query is, after all the things Hamlin’s gone by means of in 2025, can he do it once more?
With the Chase now, drivers will focus extra on consistency and total efficiency than simply wins. Whereas the earlier format helped many inconsistent drivers by giving them a playoff ticket with only a single win, a number of the storage gained’t have the ability to try this anymore. However for this former FOX broadcaster, Denny Hamlin would possibly simply have the ability to go all the best way.
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Veteran driver backs Hamlin for the win
Denny Hamlin’s 2025 Cup Collection marketing campaign appeared excellent. He was one of many best-performing drivers within the storage and dominated with six race wins, making it to the Championship 4 in Phoenix. He additionally managed to steer a big a part of the ultimate race; nonetheless, it turned bitter through the final-lap showdown, when Kyle Larson managed to overhaul him after a late warning.
There was nothing Hamlin may have carried out at that time. He noticed the title slipping from his palms because the playoff system as soon as once more held him again. Larson gained his second, and Hamlin went dwelling empty-handed.
This appears about proper. The Chase existed from 2004 to 2013, and when Denny Hamlin began racing full time from 2006, he certified for each single yr besides 2013.
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Lately, Denny Hamlin has grow to be a driver with a much better common end all through a season. Nonetheless, for him, this occurred at a time when the game rewarded extra for successful races. All through the years, even in 2019 and 2020, Hamlin had been the higher performer on the grid in comparison with the winners.
Clinching six wins in 2019 and 7 within the following season was a testomony. If NASCAR had been to comply with the Chase format on the time, Hamlin wouldn’t solely be a Cup winner however a multi-time champion. It has at all times been the smallest of points in a single or possibly two races which have snatched his title-winning probability away from him.
Nonetheless, drivers will now be extra targeted on constant performances somewhat than simply race wins. Actually, there’s a very actual chance of the sphere being much less aggressive, as they should focus extra on total efficiency to make it into the top-16 chase. The ‘win-and-get-in’ format will not exist.
So, in a format the place the game will reward the extra constant drivers, Denny Hamlin seems unbeatable. If something, the 23XI Racing co-owner has been a constant performer previously seasons. And so, the Chase format would possibly as nicely finish his championship drought.
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However who else appears to be like good for a title bid?
How do the Energy Rankings search for Denny Hamlin and his opponents heading into 2026?
The 2025 Cup Collection was one of the crucial intense seasons NASCAR has had lately. Whereas the playoffs have largely been criticized, there was just one factor they did proper, and that was creating uncertainty. grew to become the two-time champion, and that increase alone has positioned him within the No. 1 spot to win it once more, as there isn’t a motive why he can’t.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA NASCAR Cup Collection Championship Nov 2, 2025 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Collection driver Kyle Larson 5 celebrates with the Invoice France Cup trophy after clinching the 2025 NASCAR Cup Collection Championship following the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 20251102_mjr_su5_065
Although Larson didn’t lead any laps in Phoenix, his constant run within the race is proof of his efficiency, which places him in the very best probability of successful three Cup Championships, a title solely held by Joey Logano proper now among the many lively drivers.
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Denny Hamlin, nonetheless, doesn’t fall out. Actually, he’s positioned proper after him, identical to it occurred within the finale.
Owing to his six race wins and superb consistency all year long, Hamlin continues to be fairly a reliable driver to take dwelling his first championship. He was a favourite for the title final yr, and continues to be. And as we learn above, Kenny Wallace thinks so too.
This brings us to the subsequent identify within the checklist, . The Chevy driver gained the second-consecutive Daytona 500 in 2025 and had the earliest qualification for the playoffs. Understandably, he remained a powerful contender and in addition received into the Championship 4. Nonetheless, Phoenix didn’t go his means, and he completed the season in fourth place within the standings. Regardless of that, he stays a prime menace.
was the second-quickest driver to earn a playoff berth, successful three consecutive races after Byron’s Dayton triumph. Not solely did he qualify for the playoffs, however a complete of 4 race wins made him a powerful contender. Nonetheless, he couldn’t make it to the Championship 4 after his elimination within the Spherical of 8, however he remained a powerful driver all through. His common season excellence makes him a strong candidate.
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One other driver matched Bell. 2023 Champion additionally gained 4 races. Nonetheless, his title rivalry ended somewhat early, however he did show that he can as soon as once more handle to get into rivalry within the upcoming season.
These had been the best-performing drivers within the 2025 season. Apparently, nonetheless, this checklist may shuffle fairly a bit underneath the Chase format. But when something, for Hamlin, he simply wants to present his finest to get there as soon as and relaxation peacefully.
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