"That is going to our house" - Denny Hamlin's crew chief declares Bristol will be the turning point after Watkins Glen setback

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin had a disappointing playoff race, finishing P23 in the Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International. Following the race, Hamlin's crew chief, Chris Gabeheart, shed light on his expectations for the #11 team at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Denny Hamlin drives the #11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Over his 20-year career, Hamlin has amassed 74 wins across all divisions, including 54 in the Cup Series. Despite his impressive success and being a consistent frontrunner, the Virginia native is still chasing his first Cup Series championship.

Hamlin's three regular-season wins secured his place in the playoffs, but the first two postseason races have not gone in his favor. A strategy misstep at Atlanta followed by two on-track incidents at Watkins Glen have hurt his chances. Here's a video of Hamlin spinning out during Stage 3 of the Go Bowling at the Glen playoff race.

However, following the end of the race, Hamlin's crew chief Chris Gabehart spoke with the #11 driver on the team radio and expressed his confidence in securing a win at Bristol Motor Speedway, where NASCAR is headed for the final playoff race in the Round of 16.

“That is going to our house,” Gabehart told Hamlin, who has won the past two races at Bristol. “ … We are six behind. That is going to our house.” (via NBC Sports)

Here's what Hamlin said in response:

“It’s not over yet. Not over yet. Not over until the end of Bristol.”

Hamlin is 6 points shy of the Round of 12 cut-offs. However, he remains optimistic about his chances at Bristol. The 43-year-old, facing a must-win situation, has a solid history at the track, with three Bristol Night Race wins and a victory in the 2024 Food City 500 earlier this season.

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NASCAR Insiders weigh in on Denny Hamlin's finish at Watkins Glen

Despite facing setbacks in both playoff races in the Round of 16, Denny Hamlin is only 6 points behind JGR teammate Ty Gibbs. NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck believes that Hamlin's misfortune in the playoffs should not hinder his chances of advancing to the Round of 12.

In a recent episode of the Dirty Mo Media podcast, The Athletic's Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi discussed the #11 team's performance at Watkins Glen International.

"Either way, even more damage, just totally bad. And you're just like, talk about an implosion, an absolute implosion, for this team that has shown so much speed, " Gluck said [26:40].

"As bad as it could get, he's only 6 points out. This is a win [...] As bad as Atlanta was, as bad as Watkins Glen was, you're only 6 points out going to your one of, if not your best racetracks, where you're very likely going to get stage points. You're going to be a factor in the outcome of the win," Bianchi added [28:04].

Hamlin, who has yet to win a Cup Series championship, will be looking to make a statement at Bristol Motor Speedway and strengthen his position in the title chase.