Denny Hamlin names his favourite for the Xfinity Series crown

Denny Hamlin has a list of 4 drivers that could potential win the 2023 Xfinity championship.

Denny Hamlin names his favourite for the Xfinity Series crown

Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)

Joe Gibbs Racing No:11 Toytota Camry driver and 23XI Racing’s co-owner, Denny Hamlin, has donned the clairvoyant hat, offering his insights on the contenders for the coveted Xfinity Series championship crown. As the season inches closer to its conclusion, the motorsport community eagerly awaits to see if Hamlin’s predictions will hold.

Denny Hamlin’s list of contenders for the coveted title comprises the top four drivers in the standings. He firmly believes that each has an equal shot at the championship. Despite John Hunter Nemechek‘s current position as the championship leader, with an impressive tally of six wins, including a recent dominant victory at Kansas, Hamlin doesn’t anticipate Nemechek running away with the title.

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Speaking on his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, Hamlin remarked, “I’d say based on speed, you’re going to have the No. 20 (Nemechek), the No. 7 (Allgaier), the No. 21 (Austin Hill), maybe in there.” He highlighted all those drivers who have exhibited remarkable velocity this season.

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“If we’re doing this off of speed, I think there’s a clear-cut four. You’ve got the No. 7 of Allgaier, the No. 20 of Nemechek, the No. 21 of Hill, and the No. 00 of Custer,” Hamlin continued, naming the quartet he believes stands out. Nemechek’s nearest rival, Austin Hill, who trails him by 10 points, made a stellar start with back-to-back wins at Daytona, followed by triumphs in Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Pocono. 

On the other hand, Allgaier’s journey began with a respectable third-place finish at Daytona, and he secured a dramatic victory at Charlotte, narrowly beating Sheldon Creed at the Daytona night race. His season featured two wins and 11 Top-5 finishes, establishing him as a formidable contender. Cole Custer started with a modest ninth place but rebounded with wins in Portland and a rain-shortened Chicago race. However, post-Michigan, they faced penalties and fines due to unapproved equipment.

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Denny Hamlin recognizes the unpredictability of the Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series (Credits: NBC Sports)

“Now, you have others, such as you’ll have Sam Mayer have some weeks where he shows flashes,” Hamlin observed, acknowledging the potential of emerging talents like Sam Mayer. Mayer has indeed displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, often emerging as the fastest driver in the JR Motorsports stable.

Josh Berry, while not consistently at the forefront, has found success at tracks that align with his racing style. Hamlin pointed out that Berry’s skills could shine at tracks like Martinsville, offering him a shot at making it to the Final Four. Hamlin wisely noted, “It never goes chalk. It never goes how you think it is.” Indeed, in the world of NASCAR, predictability is a rare commodity, and the playoffs often unfold in unexpected ways.

“You know, these three-race cut-offs, that you just never know. It just takes two bad weeks, and you’re out,” Hamlin emphasized, highlighting the inherent unpredictability of the Xfinity Series playoffs, where a couple of subpar performances can dramatically alter a driver’s playoff fate. As the 2023 Xfinity Series season unfolds, racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the culmination of Hamlin’s predictions.

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