2023 has been an extremely fruitful year for Denny Hamlin, both as a driver and as an owner. The JGR driver heads into the playoffs as one of the favorites on the back of an extremely impressive regular season. On the business side, 23XI Racing has both of its cars in the playoffs in just its second year in the Cup Series, an incredible achievement for the team. Heading into the Darlington weekend, Hamlin made sure he let everyone know what his priority was for the next few weekends.
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Hamlin, who remains the only driver in the sport’s history who has atleast 50 Cup wins and no championships, is desperate to add the missing silverware to his cabinet. Over the last 4 seasons, the #11 driver has finished in the Final 4 three times and missed out last year only because of Ross Chastain’s outrageous move at Martinsville.
Denny Hamlin is looking at the “closest goal” right now
On how he is balancing between the duties of an owner and driver, Hamlin said, “It’s playoff time now. I am definitely shifting my resources and time more into the driving aspect now because I have goals.”
“I have long-term goals, I want my team to win a championship. But the closest goal to me right now that is achievable is for me to win a Cup championship for myself, so that’s what I need to focus on.”
🧠 “I find a way to compartmentalize it […] I’m definitely shifting my resources and time more into the driving aspect now.” #NASCAR@dennyhamlin balances a lot on his plate, but is fully focused on bringing home that elusive title for @JoeGibbsRacing in 2023 🏆 pic.twitter.com/J43PzGxTQ3
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 1, 2023
Hamlin also expressed how he had to “compartmentalize” duties, although most of his preparation during the week is focused on his duties as a driver, with his ownership duties clearly not on his mind.
“When I focus on racing and I give myself proper time through the week to put in all the work I need to, it doesn’t leave me any time for anything else.”
Denny Hamlin’s Final 4 predictions and why is confident to go all the way
On his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin revealed his prediction for the Final 4, something he has remained consistent on throughout the season.
“I’m gonna stick with what I said months ago, about the final four. I had the #24 (William Byron), the #19 (Martin Truex Jr.), the #11 Hamlin), and the #5 (Kyle Larson), in the final four. I don’t see that changing…”
As for making a case for himself to win the whole thing, the three-time Daytona 500 winner said, “I feel I’m better than I ever had been, I’ve got experience. I’ve got the most playoff points I’ve had in a couple years. Probably a couple of years. I think we’re coming in hot. I do, I think that we’re peaking at the right time.”
Considering his level of confidence this year, no wonder Hamlin is all in on winning it all as a driver this year, something that will surely cement his place in the history of the sport.
