Kevin Harvick raises question if Denny Hamlin can handle pressure of winning NASCAR Championship
Denny Hamlin called his shot back in May, declaring 2024 as his year to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series championship.
A Cup Series championship is the only achievement which has eluded Hamlin throughout his Hall of Fame career and at one point this season, he looked like the favorite to hoist the trophy at Phoenix. Hamlin won three of the first 11 races of the season but has gone winless in the 17 races since. His performance from a finishing standpoint dipped over the summer and now heading into Saturday’s Round of 16 finale at Bristol, Hamlin is six points below the cutline.
Hamlin finished P24 at Atlanta after taking a conservative approach and 23rd at Watkins Glen. Bristol is one of his best tracks and he conquered “The Last Great Colosseum” in the spring. Kevin Harvick, however, is questioning if the pressure of winning a championship is starting to show.
Kevin Harvick on Denny Hamlin at Bristol: ‘Gotta put the whole thing together’
“The thing about Denny has always seemed that he’s handled [pressure well]. He’s got a lot of things that he can handle well off the racetrack. And still get in the car and perform. But he’s never gotten to the point of being able to handle it well and win a championship,” Harvick said on his “Happy Hour” podcast this week. “That’s the part I really thought was gonna be different this year. But when we went to the very first freaking [playoff] race, we’re right back into questioning that.
“And as much as we can talk about the performance and how great the team is, the very first decision that was made in the playoffs opens that question back up. We’re gonna find out how strong they are right now. I expect them to go to Bristol and to be able to perform. But you gotta put the whole thing together.”
Denny Hamlin confident about chances of winning at Bristol
Hamlin feels confident about his ability to get it done at Bristol, and he should. He’s won in back-to-back years at the track and owns four total wins at the 0.533-mile oval. Hamlin, in theory, controls his own destiny.
Can he put it all together when it matters most?
“Qualifying will be important, certainly. But I think just run top-five all stages, finish top-five in the race, get a 47-point day or so. That’ll be plenty,” Hamlin said earlier this week. “But I’m planning on going there and winning.”
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