Denny Hamlin explains motivations to win NASCAR Cup Championship

Denny Hamlin has put together a storied career in the NASCAR Cup Series, but it’s no secret there’s one glaring hole on his resume, and that’s a championship.

The veteran wheelman has come close numerous times over the better part of the last two decades, and he probably could’ve won at least one if a couple of things went his way at certain times, but it hasn’t been meant to be. On the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin elaborated on what winning a title would mean to him, speaking on his motivations for capturing a championship.

“I’m just going to do the best that I can, and try to go and get as many wins as I can before my career is over. That’s ultimately the list that I really, really care about, because the drivers that are in it are just the most elite. So, that’s my goal, and I’ve got plenty of time to get to the accomplishments that I want, and a Cup championship would just add to that,” Hamlin stated, regarding his chances of winning a title. “I mean, certainly would be such a big deal for me, my family. I want it for my dad, I’ve said it many times, I want it for my family and friends, as much as I want it for me.

“I’m going to be fine, regardless of the outcome, and I’m going to be okay, no matter what happens.”

That’s a healthy way to look at it from the No. 11 wheelman. Still, if he doesn’t win a title, it would be a shocking omission from an otherwise tremendous career. Many believed 2024 could be Hamlin’s year, but some recent struggles have many jumping off the bandwagon, after he barely survived the Round of 16.

Alas, there ar still some analysts who believe Hamlin can overcome his hardships and end up fighting for the title in Phoenix in 2024. On The Teardown podcast, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic explained how the veteran driver can take home the title. 

“They can absolutely win the championship, absolutely. I mean, they could win, they could win at Talladega or Kansas and it would not be a surprise,” Bianchi said. “Then, you go into Round Three, they could win at any of those three tracks. They could win at Vegas, Homestead or Martinsville, and they sure as hell can win at Phoenix. They can absolutely win the championship.

“Are they snakebit a little bit? Absolutely. Have they not had the finishes that correspond with their speed? Yes. Are they to the level they were at — the same level they were at earlier in the year? No, they’re not. But this still, this team, is still so good, and while consistency is great, and you can point your way to the next round, this team is also good enough to win a race, and if that’s what they need to do, I feel like they’re going to do it.”

Denny Hamlin is supremely motivated to end his career with at least one Cup Series title, and perhaps the living NASCAR legend can get the job done this season. It would be fitting, as he usually dominates and ends up slipping at the end, for the opposite to happen if the No. 11 is to be the last car standing at the end of the season.