Denny Hamlin, crew chief Chris Gabehart reflect on being the 'championship favorite'

Denny Hamlin is chasing his long elusive NASCAR Cup Series title, and he may be the favorite to capture it in 2023.

The Joe Gibbs Racing wheelman seems to have a renewed sense of urgency at the moment. Since the beginning of the Playoffs, Hamlin has been the class of the field, and capped off a string of great performances with a win at Bristol on Saturday.

Speaking with the media afterwards, Hamlin reflected on being the consensus championship favorite, and how it affects his driving moving forward.

“I don’t think I’ve been any better. I don’t think our team has been any better,” Hamlin explained. “At our best, I know that we’re good enough.”

Additionally, Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart believes the No. 11 team is operating at a high level, and it’s obvious why many believe they’ll make it to Phoenix.

“Yeah, I mean, ‘championship favorite’ is a term that I think loses its meaning,” Gabehart added. “Certainly I think we’re a final round favorite. Then you get to Phoenix and it’s one race.

“But, yeah, we’re executing at a super high level. We have all the pieces put together to do it. Certainly why not us.”

Alas, time will tell if Denny Hamlin can capture his first NASCAR title in 2023, but his best chance ever may slip away if he doesn’t.

More on Denny Hamlin, Bristol victory

Continuing, Denny Hamlin arguably had the best car at Darlington before he finished P23. Then he went to Kansas and finished second to Tyler Reddick. Finally, he wins at Bristol. Given how much he did in these three races, and how fast he’s been, he has to be the favorite moving forward. 

Denny Hamlin also passed Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson on the all-time wins list. Next up is Lee Petty at 54 and Rusty Wallace at 55. Kevin Harvick and that magic 60-win number are 10th all-time. He might move on up that list before the playoffs are over. 

There is a different feeling to this postseason right now. Denny Hamlin is fast. Kyle Larson is fast. We have a great playoff picture setting itself up to give us a show at Phoenix. 

Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Michael McDowell were all eliminated. Logano had bad luck on Saturday and found himself out of the race early. 

Alas, Denny Hamlin is a winner at Bristol once again. He can’t stop picking up Crown Jewel wins in the Cup Series. On to Texas and the Round of 12.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.