via Imago
via Imago
Denny Hamlin might have become the champion at Nashville, but he feels his 23XI Racing employee Tyler Reddick's regular-season winning chances are still better.
After the victory, Hamlin was informed that he had unofficially climbed back within 100 points of Reddick with 12 races remaining before the 26-race regular season ends. Yet Hamlin’s response after that showed just how impossible a challenge that was.
“Not really. I mean, you know, we'd have to win three or four more races. He's gonna have to have some DNFs and stuff, but not really,” Hamlin admitted. “My goal is to try to stay P2, and that'll be close enough to contend again.”
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 22: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing National Debt Relief Toyota races with Tyler Reddick 45 23XI Racing Pinnacle Toyota during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Autotrader 400 on February 22, 2026 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 22 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602229807400
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 22: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing National Debt Relief Toyota races with Tyler Reddick 45 23XI Racing Pinnacle Toyota during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Autotrader 400 on February 22, 2026 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 22 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602229807400
The response needs to be better understood in context. Reddick opened his season by championing the Daytona 500, Atlanta, and COTA, becoming the first driver ever in NASCAR to win all three opening races of a season. He then sprinkled on victories at Darlington and Kansas while maintaining his top standing.
Currently, Reddick leads the standings with 657 points, while boss Hamlin is 97 points behind him at 560.
This is exactly why it would be amateurish to view Hamlin’s comments as a surrender but rather as ones dipped in realism.
As he himself says, the only way a regular-season title works out for Hamlin from here is if he captures the win at “three or four more races” while Reddick is met with major setbacks. Which is why Hamlin feels P2 is a better goal, hoping to turn things around in the final races.
Tracks that could still keep Hamlin alive in the title fight
Denny Hamlin’s only realistic path to victory remains maximizing his chances at tracks where he holds an edge over Reddick. One such track could come in the form of Pocono, where Hamlin has seven career Cup wins, the highest among all active drivers.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is also favored at Richmond and Dover because of both his record and Toyota’s specialization in shorter tracks. The final venue where another win could be pulled off is Michigan.
However, Reddick’s driving style makes him the favorite around tracks such as Mexico City, Sonoma, and the Chicago Street Course due to his road-course dominance.
For Hamlin to win, he needs to finish up front and win at these races, while those same events need to become disasters for Reddick owing to failures or simply poor performances.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Uday Jakhar
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason