“This Is What Movies Are Made of!” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sees Ultimate Denny Hamlin Redemption in 2026

The 2025 NASCAR Cup series finale witnessed one of the most heartbreaking moments in the playoff’s history, as Denny Hamlin loss the championship in overtime. He was just 40 seconds away from winning his maiden title, before William Byron brought out a caution and a pit-stop mistake ahead of the final restart cost him the win, after leading over 200 laps.

After Kyle Larson won the championship over him, Denny Hamlin was beyond disappointed and he even admitted that he doesn’t feel like racing a car again, stirring retirement rumors. While almost everyone in the community is concerned about these comments, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t. The veteran in the latest episode of his podcast has revealed the silver lining about the drama.

The 2026 will mark the start of championship chase under a new format and Denny Hamlin, like many in the grid, has been seeking this change for many years. This according Junior might make the No:11 better and more productive. The JR Motorsports driver believes the 23XI Racing co-owner really wants to see the back of the one-race-decide-all format and is ready to fight under new rules.

With the format we’ll have next year, he might be able to just go and just get the points. I think if he were sitting here, he would tell us that he feels more confident in whatever that format may be…I don’t know how they’re going to do it, but I think if Denny were sitting here, he would tell us, ‘Man, I’m looking forward to that. I don’t want to go do this one again. Get this one the hell out of here, and let’s go try something else.’

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download podcast.

The two times Xfinity Series champion sees the potential of an ultimate redemption from Denny Hamlin, that will give NASCAR the Hollywood movie moment that will have massive impact, in the coming years. Junior believes something special might be in making at the moment as Hamlin is capable of following the mega disappointment with an incredible championship win.

Think about it, imagine if Denny goes next year, like this is me trying to find that silver lining. Imagine if Denny, this is a chapter in his book, the one we just wrote. This is what movies are made of. He loses a championship with 40 seconds to go in the race. All he needed was 40 seconds of green-flag racing to get that title that’s been so elusive. He follows that season up with a championship year. That could be pretty incredible.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. declares Denny Hamlin might win six more career Cup races

Talking on the same topic earlier, Junior asserted that he doesn’t see Hamlin retiring anytime soon. He expects the veteran to continue racing on the elite level he has been doing his whole season. The emotions he is feeling at the moment is temporary and once he gets over that, he will be back on track to winning six more races in the upcoming 2026 season.

I don’t know where he goes from here. He said he doesn’t want to drive race cars right now. And I can understand that. But I’m assuming that’s a somewhat temporary emotion. He’s going to finish. He’s not going to not race. He’s got another chance. He’ll come back and they’ll run well and they’ll win races next year. He will probably win another six races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The comments from the Hall of Famer seems rational and considering the past of Hamlin, a solid competitor who has gotten over a dozen of similar championship heartbreaks, the redemption race predicted can happen. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to payout for the No:11 team and the racer.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Declares Playoffs Format “Betrayed” NASCAR After 2025 finale drama

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