Sep 2, 2026 · 1h 23m
Hamlin enters NASCAR’s playoff as the driver to beat
Is There Any Way Denny Hamlin Can Lose The Championship?
The panel weighs whether Denny Hamlin’s statistical edge can survive pit-road mistakes, volatile tracks, and a demanding 10-race championship format.
- 1Denny Hamlin is the overwhelming favorite, but Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs emerge as credible upset threats.
- 2Pit-crew execution and track-specific wild cards could reshape a championship fight decided by narrow margins.
- 3Carson Hocevar’s talent and aggression make him a compelling test of whether risk-taking can hold up over ten playoff races.
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The four panelists make their championship selections, with Denny Hamlin emerging as the overwhelming favorite despite the field’s potential upset routes.
The brief
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, Jamie McMurray, and Jeff Gluck revisit NASCAR’s evolving Chase format before assessing a 16-driver field led by Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin’s speed, momentum, and playoff history make him the consensus favorite, while Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs stand out as the clearest paths to an upset.
The panel argues that pit-crew mistakes and volatile tracks such as Martinsville, Charlotte, and St. Louis could create the points swings Hamlin must avoid.
Carson Hocevar becomes the episode’s most intriguing wildcard: his creativity and aggression resemble established risk-takers, but a ten-week title run demands restraint.
The discussion widens to Spire Motorsports, the O’Reilly Series, and a Truck Series battle between Lane Riggs and Caden Honeycutt before Darlington opens the chase.