Denny Hamlin is the self-proclaimed “king of irrational confidence,” however after a dominant efficiency at Martinsville Speedway this previous Sunday, it is onerous to say that confidence is misplaced.
At 44 years previous, Hamlin is across the age the place drivers are inclined to decelerate. The journeys to victory lane grow to be few and much between, and top-10 runs grow to be the brand new customary for achievement.
For Hamlin, nonetheless, that does not seem like the case.
Hamlin introduced a 31-race winless streak into Martinsville and left with a grandfather clock after main 274 of 400 laps. It was a efficiency that confirmed Hamlin nonetheless has loads of fuel within the tank, and one that ought to encourage confidence in Hamlin because the season rolls on.
In line with these round him, Hamlin has needed to ramp up his coaching and preparation because the years have stacked up.
“He is in all probability within the simulator greater than anybody,” automobile proprietor Joe Gibbs mentioned of Hamlin. “I believe it says so much about him. He works his rear finish off.”
“I am shocked at how onerous he does work,” crew chief Chris Gayle mentioned. “Like (Gibbs) is speaking about, we (Gayle and Hamlin) have been texting final evening; he was watching 2022 SMT information from right here. He is needed to ramp up the quantity of labor he is accomplished the place he might have gotten by earlier (in his profession) with out doing that. I believe he nonetheless has a drive and willpower to win.”
That drive comes from part of Hamlin that’s nonetheless goal-oriented. On Sunday, Hamlin tied 1989 Cup Sequence champion Rusty Wallace for eleventh on the all-time wins record with 55 Cup Sequence victories.
“There are nonetheless objectives left for him at this age,” Gayle mentioned. “I believe it is no secret he desires to get 60 wins. It is one factor to speak about it, however I am beginning to see the quantity of effort he places in. He is with us within the simulator six or seven days every week. He does it to assist the crew. I believe that speaks to the place his head is at this age.”
As Hamlin climbed atop his Toyota to have fun the win, his crew members handed him a flag that was given to the No. 11 crew by a bunch of Hamlin’s followers. Amidst a light-blue background have been the phrases, “11 AGAINST THE WORLD.”
If you understand something about Hamlin, nonetheless, the flag was greater than a humorous slogan. It encapsulates an athlete that has embraced his function as certainly one of NASCAR’s most controversial drivers, and accomplished so whereas nonetheless being close to the highest of his sport.
“Why not?” Hamlin mentioned when requested why he held up the flag in entrance of the Martinsville crowd. “That is me. Go shoot hoops with me, go play pickleball with me, go play golf with me — if I can not (trash)-talk, it takes my superpower away. It actually does. I am not practically pretty much as good.”
Hamlin’s strategies of motivation and celebration have earned him loads of detractors over time, nevertheless it’s that very same mentality that has carried the long run Corridor of Famer to victory lane 55 occasions. After successful the 2023 Bristol evening race, Hamlin quipped to the group that he had “simply beat their favourite driver” — a quote that earned a sequel after Hamlin received the Conflict on the LA Coliseum in February 2024.
The fiery, aggressive facet of Hamlin may very well be credited with preserving the 20-year veteran of NASCAR’s prime echelon motivated as he approaches the twilight of his profession. And whereas his victory at Martinsville was necessary within the second, it additionally paints an image of a No. 11 crew poised for an additional deep playoff run.
Whereas Hamlin hasn’t made the Championship 4 since 2021, he hasn’t missed the Spherical of 8 since 2018. He will not be in his prime anymore, however he’s a perennial menace to make the penultimate spherical of the playoffs in any case — and with NASCAR’s present playoff format, something is feasible if you may make that far.
Within the short-term, upcoming races at Darlington (April 6) and Bristol (April 13) play proper into Hamlin’s strengths. Hamlin is the defending winner of the Bristol spring race, and has led 256 laps over six Subsequent-Gen races at Darlington. There is no cause to suppose his efficiency at Martinsville was a fluky one-off, particularly contemplating what number of tracks there are on the schedule the place he may very well be thought-about the odds-on favourite to win.
Hamlin will not be at his statistical or bodily peak anymore, however he is doing what many drivers earlier than him didn’t do as they aged — constantly win races and be in championship rivalry, all whereas changing into extra motivated with each passing 12 months.
–Samuel Stubbs, Discipline Degree Media
