Denny Hamlin Confesses JGR Needs as “Extensive Overhauling of Philosophy” to Beat Penske at Phoenix

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin admitted that Team Penske Racing is going to be untouchable at Phoenix, even for the TRD giants.

Denny Hamlin Confesses JGR Needs as “Extensive Overhauling of Philosophy” to Beat Penske at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday at New Hampshire ended the dominant playoffs streak of Joe Gibbs Racing, as Team Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney produced an impressive performance to win his maiden win at the venue. For Denny Hamlin, the dominance of the No:12 team means more than just a statement from Roger Penske’s side.

Penske has won all three Cup titles in the Next-Gen era, with Joey Logano winning twice and Ryan Blaney winning in 2024, owing to their clutch runs in the playoffs alongside untouchable dominance at Phoenix, the final venue. Watching the Loudon race, which is very similar to race 36 venue, Denny Hamlin via his podcast admitted that the Ford giants are too good for rest if the championship-4 race.

I think this is our Phoenix tire. I do know that this is the Phoenix aero package… So yeah, I think this could be deja vu.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.

They have a solid aero package and better race note than any other team, giving them a unique advantage. The non-Penske fans would be hoping that all three of their drivers don’t make it to R-4, as if they did, they have just one way to beat them, change their whole racing philosophy which is almost impossible to do.

If you’re not a Penske fan, that’s probably what you should hope. … If we re-racked and ran tomorrow, we would have the same result. It’ll take an extensive overhauling of philosophy to get another two percent of grip out of our cars.

Denny Hamlin added.

They will not be able to understand the track enough and make tweaks to the car that is going to make them real contenders. If the New Hampshire run correlates to the season finale as JGR competition director Chris Gabehart predicted, then the fans should brace themselves for a déjà vu moment.

We’re not going to be able to tweak our way to the speed that the Penske cars had. If they carry that moving forward, we’re not going to be able to — we will not overcome that, if it correlates to Phoenix.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

Denny Hamlin hints at major positive change coming to NASCAR playoffs format

In the same podcast, Hamlin shared his thoughts on the potential changes that are coming regarding the playoffs format. He wants the new system to reward drivers for their consistency and also allow drivers to keep the advantage they gain in every playoff round.

Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

Whatever it is, I just want guys who show excellence every week to be rewarded for that and not have to fight every three weeks for the reset to take away their advantage that they have built.

Denny Hamlin said.

Further talking about the point, the Joe Gibbs Racingh veteran pointed out that the direction the discussion regarding the format is in a positive direction. He believes the fans and the drivers will be getting a format they will appreciate after the change.

Surely there is a format out there that can give a little bit to everyone, and I think it’s possible. From what I’ve seen, what I’ve seen proposed, we’re on the right track, and it’s certainly going to be better than what we have.

Denny Hamlin added.

Such comments coming from a someone like Denny Hamlin, who has been asking for massive changes to the format like many in the community wants, should be taken as a major positive. It would be interesting to see how the change is system is going to change the sport as a whole.

Also Read: Kevin Harvick Declares Tyler Reddick Is in “Big Trouble” in the 2025 Playoffs