As the week continues on, so does the countdown to Daytona 500 qualifying. With 36Â Days to Daytona, it is time to preview the team that features everyone’s favorite driver. Denny Hamlin and the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team are still on a quest to capture Hamlin’s first championship. After 2023 featured some prolonged contract negotiations and a heel turn, will the now villainous Denny Hamlin find gold in 2024?
#11 Joe Gibbs Racing
Driver: Denny Hamlin
Crew Chief: Chris Gabehart
Sponsors: FedEx, Sports Clips, Mavis Tires, Interstate Batteries
2024 Season Preview
Is a Championship Necessary?
Even for fans who despise Denny Hamlin, there is no argument that the JGR driver has a Hall of Fame resume. An argument could be made that Hamlin is the greatest driver to never win a championship. While Hamlin and the 11 team surely desire the championship, does Hamlin need it for his legacy? With the current playoff format of NASCAR, a lack of a championship might not sting as much as it does for pre-playoff drivers. When the championship is decided in a crapshoot, the importance of obtaining one for a driver’s legacy changes.
Who Will Hamlin Feud With?
Over the past two seasons, Denny Hamlin has embroiled himself into two distinct rivalries with two different drivers. In 2022, Ross Chastain was Hamlin’s main foe. Chastain got the better of Hamlin with the Hail Melon, although Hamlin “finished” the rivalry by tanking Chastain’s finish during spring Phoenix. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson became the ire of Hamlin’s new on-track antics. Twice in 2023 saw Hamlin move Larson for a win in the closing laps. Will Larson continue to be Hamlin’s rival or will a new challenger approach?
Off-Track Headlines
Denny Hamlin made numerous headlines in 2023 with his off-track comments, especially on his podcast Actions Detrimental. While Hamlin is loathed on-track now, his podcast and vocal ownership of 23XI Racing has been welcomed by fans. Especially with how critical of NASCAR Hamlin is, fans get a peak of some ownership frustrations within the sport. Surely, this will continue in 2024.
Daytona 500 Chances
Denny Hamlin is one of the few drivers in the Cup Series that truly demonstrate how superspeedway racing is more than luck-based. Hamlin is able to bob-and-weave through the field in order to climb the charts. Even with the stagnant pack racing of the NextGen car, Hamlin still finds a way to forge his way forward. The man with 3 Daytona 500s to his name will look to grab his fourth. While his initial results in the NextGen at Daytona are not promising, there is never a reason to doubt Hamlin being a contender at Daytona.
Speedweeks Outlook
Simply put, Denny Hamlin should be one of the favorites entering Daytona. Surprisingly though, Hamlin has not been starting the Daytona 500 well recently. His average start for the Great American Race is only 23.5 since 2020. While that has not prevented him from finishing well (2 Top-5s including winning in 2020), it is still surprising. Hamlin is known for laying back early though, which means do not expect much from him in his duel race unless he gets out front early. The fireworks will begin during the Daytona 500 though. Expect to see Hamlin contending for the win on that Sunday.
Previous Days
40 Days: #12 Team Penske
39 Days: #5 Hendrick Motorsports
38 Days: #24 Hendrick Motorsports
37 Days: #20 Joe Gibbs Racing
