Denny Hamlin Is “Very Optimistic” About Winning 2026 Cup Series Title

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, the wingiest racer without a championship, one of the unluckiest drivers in NASCAR history. He has missed out on the bill France Cup in 2010, 2014, 2019, 2021 and most recently in the 2025 owing to reasons beyond his control. The veteran couldn’t deliver on the finale for over two decades and that why he campaigned for a format change.

For the 2026 season, NASCAR did exactly that by re-introducing the 10-race chase format and Hamlin is happy about the increase in sample size to crown the Bill France Cup winner. Talking about it ahead of the Chicagoland Speedway, the veteran admitted that he is in the right path to secure his maiden title in stock car racing.

I certainly feel like the destination of where you want to go is more in your hands. The sample size is bigger…This thing could come down to a green, white, checkered at Homestead. We don’t know. But at least there are other races and restarts that happened that counted just the same, the nine races before that.

Denny Hamlin said at Chicagoland Speedway.

Further talking about the point, Denny Hamlin asserted that it has been unfair that one race, the season finale, decides the champion, as it overlooks all the consistent success other drivers had throughout the years. He is really optimistic about his 2026 titles hopes, as there aren’t any finale uncertainty and the TRD team having one of the dominant seasons ever with four wins to his name.

I like it for that reason that I don’t think that one freak race or incident or win just completely changes the outlook of your championship hopes. I’m very optimistic from the standpoint that generally the bigger the data set the better off our chances are going to be.

Denny Hamlin added via motorsport.com.

Brent Crews breaks silence on Denny Hamlin naming him as his successor

One of the major conversations in the community is the future of the No:11 team as the 45-year only doesn’t have much left in him. Recently the veteran even hinted at JGR replacing him with TRD development driver Brent Crews. Now the racer has shared his thoughts, admitting how he was beyond excited about the words that came out from his favorite driver’s mouth.

I did not expect him to say that whatsoever. I swear to you, that was wild. I had a big ol’ smile on my face when he did say it, because I had no idea. But yeah, that was really nice of Denny to say, and I’m very grateful that he’s been watching. And that stuff’s really cool. Denny was my favorite driver as a little kid.

Brent Crews said.

Hamlin became Crews’ favorite driver not just because of being a dominant racer for two decades, but also the fact that he was the No:11 car drover. It was the same number used by his favorite football player Julio Jones. Now having the opportunity represent JGR wearing the same number is pretty special for him.

My favorite football player was Julio Jones, and he was number 11. So automatically, Denny was my favorite driver. So, to think, when I was five years old, what I knew now, I don’t know what I would do. But no, it was super cool. And obviously, that’s my dream. That’s everybody’s dream, especially from a young age.

Brent Crews added.

The comments from the Joe Gibbs Racing driver shows the love and respect he has for Hamlin, as well as motorsports. It would be interesting to see how long it would take Crew’s to make the much-anticipated move to the Cup Series.

Also Read: Denny Hamlin Brands NASCAR New Championship Format the “Best Change Ever”