Denny Hamlin has been claiming checkered flags and taking trips to victory lane in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series time and again, like nobody’s business.
Denny Hamlin Just Can’t Stop Winning, Mastering the Monster Mile
Hamlin’s No. 11 team is without a doubt “in the groove right now, for sure,” as he said Sunday evening during the post-race press conference from the Dover Motor Speedway media center.
The Würth 400 was Hamlin’s third win in the first 11 races of 2024, and that doesn’t even include the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, the season-opening non-points race in Los Angeles.
He doesn’t expect the winning to stop anytime soon, either.
“I expect to win every week,” Hamlin said. “There’s no reason I shouldn’t.”
Hamlin’s team seems to have it all at the moment, especially as Hamlin’s relationship with crew chief Chris Gabehart continues to get better and easier in their fifth year together.
“(Gabehart) continues to challenge me and push me to get better,” Hamlin said. Dover in particular has been a track that Hamlin credits his crew chief for.
“If you had asked me six-seven years ago (about) winning at Dover, I would have said you’re crazy,” Hamlin said. “It was by far my worst track. I just hated coming here, but he led me in a direction to get better, and it really paid off.”
That helped make Hamlin confident enough to “call his shot” on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast heading into the Dover race weekend – and his nerve and conviction paid off.
“Hopefully, some listeners cashed in on it today,” Hamlin said.
But for those who bet the over on Hamlin’s season win total, Sunday was a celebration for them as well. His third win of the season clinched the over, with the over/under set at 2.5 victories.
With results like Hamlin has had in 2024, you’ll have to pay a premium for him every single week in both general betting and daily fantasy sports markets.
Hamlin is one of the few you can say that about.
“Every seven days, I can win, and that’s so hard to come by,” Hamlin said. “Four, maybe five (drivers) can do that. As long as I do my job, we’re gonna be part of the conversation.”
Team owner Joe Gibbs was cheery discussing the team’s performance in 2024, as well.
“In pro sports, it’s hard to get it all together,” Gibbs, who coached the NFL team now known as the Washington Commanders for 16 seasons, said. “But I think this team, with Chris’ leadership, (makes me) feel so comfortable going to the racetrack.”
Hamlin will continue to be one to watch near the top of the leaderboard in the next few Cup Series races as well, visiting Kansas and Darlington in the next two weeks.
Even opening at 7-1 as the No. 11 team did heading into the Dover race weekend is likely to be a treat going forward at most of the non-superspeedway races.
“This little stretch right here (is) all in my wheelhouse,” Hamlin said. “I certainly feel pretty good about it.”
“If we’re turning left, I like my chances.”
Thanks for reading, and be sure to catch us live every Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. EST on The Backroad! Good luck this week!
*Photo Credit: Matthew O’Haren – USA TODAY Sports*