Denny Hamlin Takes No:1 Seed Spot For 2026 NASAR Cup Chase

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on his championship hopes after winning regular season title.


Denny Hamlin Takes No:1 Seed Spot For 2026 NASAR Cup Chase

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

After a good P7 finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Sunday, Denny Hamlin has secured the regular season championship and the No:1 seed spot in the chase, giving him an advantage in the ten laps final round for the Bill France Cup. He now can go to the final race of the regular season at Daytona and go all out for the win, without caring about points.

Talking about the impressive season and securing the advantage position, Hamlin pointed out that he is feeling really good about the momentum they have on their side and how the whole team are in fine form at the moment. But the upcoming races wont be easy for him, considering some of the upcoming races are at venues where Team Penske duo of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano will have an advantage.

I feel good about where our team’s at. Everyone’s kind of clicking well and don’t have a whole lot of weaknesses. We’re not as strong as the Penske cars on these types of race tracks. But you know, Martinsville, we are good. Phoenix, we’ve been good.

Denny Hamlin said after the New Hampshire race.

Further talking about the point, Denny Hamlin admitted that the last couple weeks haven’t been as good as they expected them to be and admitted that the No:11 team needs to work on their car’s pace. The fact that there are some good mile and halftracks in the schedule next gives him a lot of confidence.

It’s just over the last few, this just has not been a strong three or four weeks. And when I say not strong, it’s you know top fives and top sevens. It’s something we can work with and the mile-and-a-halfs is certainly something that has been our strength for a couple years now. So, looking forward to getting The Chase started and see where it goes.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin is confident he can take on Team Penske

Later talking about the Penske challenge ahead of him, Hamlin pointed out that though the Ford have historically been in some of the upcoming venues, his team has what it takes to be successful. He is looking forward to banking on the notes they have had from past success.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

We’re just not as strong as the Penske cars on these types of racetracks. But Martinsville, we are good. Phoenix, we’ve been good. It’s just the last few have not been as strong, but it’s still top fives and top sevens.

Denny Hamlin said.

The No:11 team has a lot of work to do in their hands in order to get back to the winning streak that helped them to secure the points table lead. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the TRD driver on the upcoming race weeks as his chase for maiden title continues.

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