“Maybe he won’t because Mark Martin never did” - Anonymous NASCAR drivers share thoughts on Denny Hamlin’s title hopes

During the NASCAR playoffs media day, the top 16 drivers of the 2024 season took part in a written survey and anonymously shared their answers about Denny Hamlin's prospects of winning the Cup Series. While the majority supported the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver, others didn't stack the odds in Hamlin's favor.

The recent polling by Fox Sports asked Hamlin's fellow competitors if he would ever win a championship. Of the 16, 12 drivers believed Hamlin to be a future Cup Series championship, while four voted against.

Followed by the polls on Hamlin's odds of winning a Cup title, a few drivers shared their thoughts on the 43-year-old's close calls in his two-decade-long career. Moreover, a driver believed it to be surprising like the NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who had five runner-up finishes in the final Cup Series standings and was third four times in his three-decade-long career. The anonymous driver said (via Fox Sports):

"I don’t really know if he will or not. He’s plenty of good enough too. It just seems like something has always happened. It’s surprising he hasn’t already. Maybe he won’t because it’s also surprising Mark Martin never did."

Meanwhile, a few other drivers commented on Hamlin missing out on a championship title after winning 54 Cup Series races.

"He’s obviously a really good race-car driver. A very smart racer. Probably understands a lot of the sport as good or better than anyone else because he gets to see both sides of it. He’s put himself in that position many times. You’d think eventually the odds would work in his favor," a driver said.

As things stand, #11 Denny Hamlin is seeded in sixth place after the playoff re-rack. He qualified for the playoffs with three wins and is one of the top contenders for the championship title. However, he will have to battle Tyler Reddick, employed by 23XI Racing, a team Hamlin co-owns.

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"I think he's a guy we'll probably have to battle" - Denny Hamlin on facing his driver Tyler Reddick in the playoff rounds

Denny Hamlin, #11 Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing driver. Source: Getty

The #45 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick recently won the regular season championship and is one of the contenders to claim his maiden Cup Series title. As Denny Hamlin gears up for the 2024 playoff rounds, he was asked if Reddick is one of his biggest competitors.

Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Denny Hamlin said he would be content if either of them wins the championship title. He said:

"I mean truthfully if I'm being honest, I've got two chances to win the championships this year. And I'd be happy with either, I really would. It's like watching your kids do something. I had a hand in everything with that #45 car, from sponsorships, to marketing, to the competition, to the simulation, everything. I had a hand in everything. So I take a lot of pride in that."

"Certainly I think they will be a contender. I think the playoff tracks set up very well for Tyler, certainly I think he's a guy we'll probably have to battle," Hamlin added.

The NASCAR Cup Series will be in action for the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first Round of 16 race on September 8 at 3 pm ET.