Denny Hamlin has 'no excuses' for not winning the NASCAR Championship

This season, 42-year-old Denny Hamlin has his eyes on another Championship 4 appearance and he believes he has the tools to win it all. Everyone knows Hamlin as the driver who has just come up short on so many different occasions. If there is one driver that has been hindered most by NASCAR‘s modern playoff model, it’s likely Hamlin.

When you start talking about elimination races and then a finale where you almost have to win to take the championship, things are hectic. Nothing is guaranteed. Even in years when Denny Hamlin has been the best, he’s come up short.

However, this season is different. At least, Hamlin thinks it is. He talked about his championship chances to the press during media days this week.

When asked if this was his year, Hamlin candidly responded “It’s always my year.”

Hamlin went further into why he feels so confident.

“I do. I think that we’re stronger than we’ve been,” Hamlin said. “Road courses I’ve got speed now and short tracks our cars – if we get to the final four, I’m not worried about being at a deficit. I think the pit crew is better, they’re coming into its own. All the pieces of the puzzle are there. There’s no excuses for sure.”

Is there a chance we finally see Denny Hamlin on the mountaintop?

Denny Hamlin sees Martin Truex Jr. as his biggest competition

When you go into the playoffs with your teammate as your biggest threat, that’s a good deal. Joe Gibbs Racing has two of the top drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series this season in Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. Hamlin was quick to name the No. 19 as a car to watch for.

On his quest for his first championship, Hamlin will have to try and stop the regular season champion from claiming his second.

“I think so. I think Martin (Truex Jr.) is certainly — he’s a talented dude. He can sometimes put in about a quarter of the work I do and still outrun me. He’s just a gifted race car driver and he’s always tough. That’s why he’s a champion.”

With the NASCAR Playoffs starting at Darlington, are we going to see a Hamlin win early? Perhaps a battle between teammates at Kansas? We don’t know, but the playoffs are going to produce some great drama and action in the next two and a half months.