Kyle Petty Declares “Denny Hamlin’s Worst Nightmare Happened” at Charlotte Roval

Kyle Petty declared that Joey Logano making it into the Round of 8 after the Charlotte race was definitely Denny Hamlin's worst nightmare.

Kyle Petty Declares “Denny Hamlin’s Worst Nightmare Happened” at Charlotte Roval

Kyle Petty and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

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Denny Hamlin has been enjoying a highly positive outing in the 2025 season since the beginning of the year. Hamlin remains the winningest driver on the track and has also advanced in the Round of 8 based on points standings.

However, defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano has also made the cut in the eight finalist drivers. As such, ex-NASCAR driver Kyle Petty has weighed in on how Logano’s qualification could be a problem for the JGR veteran down the line.

Joey Logano‘s performance in the 2025 season was nothing short of a disappointment. Despite enjoying a dominant outing the previous year, his woes this season meant that people weren’t very serious about his winning chances.

However, after qualifying in the Round of 8, Team Penske’s star can have a realistic shot at the title. This will definitely put Denny Hamlin under pressure as he will have to work extra hard in the final title races. Kyle Petty does not hesitate to acknowledge that Joey Logano’s qualification puts Denny Hamlin under immense pressure now.

Petty insisted that Hamlin’s worst nightmare happened when the #22 driver managed to clinch his spot in the Round of 8. The 65-year-old asserted that the JGR veteran will have to get past Logano if he wants to move up to the Championship 4 to contend for his maiden title.

Kyle Petty noted that a driver always wanted weaker drivers and teams in the playoffs, especially at such a late stage. However, Denny Hamlin will have to go up against Joey Logano, which will definitely be a massive challenge. Petty explained that Hamlin definitely did not want to go against Logano, but his shock entry definitely changes some things for the #11 squad.

Denny Hamlin’s worst nightmare happened [when Logano qualified for the Round of 8]. Hamlin is gonna have to go through Joey Logano. Everybody is gonna have to. You wanna race against weaker teams. You don’t wanna race against guys like Joey Logano.

Kyle Petty told NASCAR.

Kyle Petty labels Joey Logano as ‘everybody’s worst nightmare’

Joey Logano entered the Round of 8 in the 2024 season under similar conditions and went on the dominate the grid from that point and win his third Cup Series title. Kyle Petty does not refute this possibility for a second, as he believes that Logano’s entry is definitely a point of concern for all seven remaining drivers out of the bunch, including Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin (via Getty), Joey Logano (via Newsweek)
Denny Hamlin (via Getty), Joey Logano (via Newsweek)

Kyle Petty highlighted that Joey Logano would remain everybody’s worst nightmare as he would bite and chew the rivals up. Petty pointed out that Logano would definitely be a dominant factor at the championship finale at Phoenix, right after Halloween. The ex-NASCAR driver further applauded Paul Wolfe and his decision to pit the #22 driver early and help him race with fresher tires in the final laps.

He will bite you, and I am gonna tell you, it’s everybody’s worst nightmare, going to Phoenix right after Halloween- Joey Logano is going to be there… Paul Wolfe made a call yesterday; he deserves the award. Those guys were in the playoffs, and he took themselves out to [the] pit and put on tires.

Kyle Petty noted.

The 2025 season of NASCAR has been extremely exciting and interesting, especially at the forefront. As the grid moves up the Round of 8, it will be great to witness which drivers manage to move up the pecking order. For now, both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin seem to be two of the best contenders for the 2025 Cup Series title. Seemingly, Hamlin has more at stake than Logano since he is fighting for his maiden title.

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