Denny Hamlin, the 2026 NASCAR Cup factors chief, needs the circuit to return in 2027 to historic North Wilkesboro, the place he completed runner-up to Joey Logano on July 19 within the Window World 450.
The North Wilkesboro brief monitor returned to the Cup Collection when it hosted three All-Star races from 2023 to 2025. The July 19 race was the primary factors race at North Wilkesboro since 1996. The 2027 Cup schedule has not been launched.
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Denny Hamlin will not say North Wilkesboro must be a factors race
Hamlin, the motive force of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, stated on his podcast “Actions Detrimental” just lately that he was in favor of holding North Wilkesboro on the schedule, however stays not sure in what capability.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Insurance coverage Toyota, poses with the a million greenback examine in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on Could 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Pictures)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Insurance coverage Toyota, poses with the a million greenback examine in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on Could 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Pictures)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Pennzoil 400 introduced by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates together with his mom, Mary Lou Hamlin after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Pennzoil 400 introduced by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Pictures)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Nov 2, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) reacts after climnbing out of his automobile following the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin (L) and spouse Jordan Fish depart the Charles R Jonas Federal Constructing on Dec. 1, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jury choice and a gap assertion started an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing staff in opposition to NASCAR.
(Grant Baldwin, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
PHOENIX, ARIZONA РNOVEMBER 04: NASCAR Cup Collection driver, Denny Hamlin his fianc̩ Jordan Fish and daughter Taylor Hamlin pose for a photograph on the pink carpet through the 2025 NASCAR Awards Present at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on November 04, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, and Jordan Fish embrace on the grid after the NASCAR Cup Collection Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Pictures)
(James Gilbert, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 12, 2025.
(Logan Riely, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 ampm Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection South Level 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Logan Riely/Getty Pictures)
(Logan Riely, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
MADISON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, exits his automobile after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Get pleasure from Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 07, 2025 in Madison, Illinois. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Pictures)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Sep 7, 2025; Madison, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) hosts the trophy after profitable the Get pleasure from Illinois 300 at World Broad Know-how Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Puetz-Imagn Pictures
(Joe Puetz, Joe Puetz-Imagn Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025.
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Jul 20, 2025; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after profitable the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Pictures
(Matthew O’Haren, Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection FireKeepers On line casino 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates with the checkered flag after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection FireKeepers On line casino 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Nationwide Debt Reduction Toyota speaks to the media throughout Media Day for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Seaside, Florida. (Photograph by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Pictures)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Denny Hamlin appears to be like on earlier than the CFP Nationwide Championship school soccer sport at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) through the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Conference Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx One Price Toyota, and JGR staff proprietor and NASCAR Corridor of Famer, Joe Gibbs discuss within the storage space after an on-track incident throughout follow for the NASCAR Cup Collection Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 02, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 06: Co-owners of 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx One Price Toyota, and NBA Corridor of Famer, Michael Jordan discuss on the grid after the NASCAR Cup Collection YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 06, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Pictures)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Aug 11, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) wrecks after the end of the race through the Cook dinner Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Motorsports Wire)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Apr 28, 2024; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Matthew O’Haren, Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Mar 31, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates profitable the Toyota House owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Mar 31, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after profitable the Toyota House owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Feb 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates his victory of the Busch Mild Conflict at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Obligatory Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Gary A. Vasquez, Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish poses on the pink carpet for the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet on the Music Metropolis Heart in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Sept. 16: Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the Bass Professional Retailers Night time Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
(Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) makes his approach onto the monitor Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, forward of the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the AdventHealth 400, Sunday at Kansas Speedway.
(Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Bubba Wallace, left, with driver and staff proprietor Denny Hamlin at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Could 28, 2022.
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) exits his automobile after a second climate delay through the Ally 400 on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the Toyota House owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.
(Amber Searls, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin drives through the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway occasion on Decrease Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Sept 5: Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the Cook dinner Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019.
(Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin reacts as he holds a lobster profitable at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2017.
(Brian Fluharty, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin, the two-time defending Daytona 500 champion, received the primary stage of the rain-delayed 2021 race Sunday Feb. 14, 2021, at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
(Nigel Cook dinner/Information-Journal)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates profitable the 2020 Daytona 500.
(Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Alabama soccer announcer Eli Gold, left, talks with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin at The Locker Room close to campus Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2013. Talladega Superspeedway launched two NASCAR School Applications on the College of Alabama and Auburn College.Prizes got out on the occasion and driver Denny Hamlin gave choose college students rides to class all through the day. The primary 100 college students received unique get together passes to a hospitality space within the infield at Talladege for the upcoming Tenting World RV Gross sales 500 and a seat on a constitution bus to carry them to the monitor on race day. workers photograph | Dusty Compton
(Dusty Compton, Tuscaloosa Information)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Collection race at Dover Worldwide Speedway.
(Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
June 6, 2011 – Denny Hamlin watches his second shot on the par 4 second gap on the FESJC Danny Thomas Professional Am at TPC Southwind. He made par on the outlet.
(Dave Darnell/The Industrial Attraction)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in high 10 for all-time wins
Sep 3, 2017; Darlington, SC, USA; Monster Vitality NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates profitable the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
(Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports activities)
“I do not know,” he stated. “I imply, I am for a race at North Wilkesboro, how about that? That is the place I will stand on it.”
He in contrast the 0.625-mile oval at North Wilkesboro to the 0.5-mile brief monitor at Bristol.
“It is a racey monitor,” Hamlin stated. “It jogs my memory a number of Bristol. Once they modified Bristol from its one-groove monitor, after which they re-concreted it, put variable banking, they floor it, subsequent factor you already know, we have been racing throughout Bristol from the underside to the highest. I can let you know from a competitor standpoint, we have been like, ‘That is freaking superior.’ Each lane runs the identical pace, so should you’re sooner, you simply go to a unique lane.”
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NORTH WILKESBORO WINNERS AND LOSERS: NASCAR North Wilkesboro winners, losers as Joey Logano makes Chase assertion
Denny Hamlin makes NASCAR Cup factors bubble predictions
With solely 5 races remaining within the 2026 common season, Hamlin made his predictions for which 16 drivers will get into the 10-race Chase. The thirteenth by way of sixteenth within the level standings are Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, Logano and Austin Cindric.
Hamlin had anticipated Ross Chastain to get in, however Chastain’s Twenty seventh-place end at North Wilkesboro modified that. Chastain dropped to twenty first within the level standings.
“I am formally off the Ross Chastain (prepare),” Hamlin stated. “I simply preserve pondering that there is sufficient there, however there’s simply not. Not sufficient time, not sufficient automobile, simply not going to make it.”
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Hamlin additionally dominated out Michael McDowell, who’s presently twentieth within the level standings, including that McDowell’s staff has underperformed in 2026. He additionally dominated out Brad Keselowski, who’s at nineteenth.
“With the tracks which are left, I will say the sphere (as it’s) is the sphere,” Hamlin stated. “That is simply off of efficiency. If somebody goes and blows a motor, wrecks, that modifications all the things. And that may occur. However I simply assume these guys are simply separating themselves, and these guys (exterior the bubble) cannot catch them.”
