Kevin Harvick reveals hopes for Denny Hamlin in Round of 12, criticizes early strategy

Denny Hamlin was often criticized for deploying a conservative strategy in the Round of 16 of the Cup Series playoffs.

To his credit, playing it safe and picking up points was enough to get him through to the Round of 12. But with now seven races remaining and only the best of the best remaining, Kevin Harvick believes the time is now for Hamlin to be aggressive. Speaking on Tuesday’s “Happy Hour” podcast, Harvick said he wants to see Hamlin “battling for the lead” and racing with drivers such as Kyle Larson near the front of the field.

“Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart — those guys are offense players,” Harvick said. “I want to see them on offense. I want to see them battling for the lead. Pushing the pace of the race, controlling the race. And doing what they have to do, especially when we get to Talladega. Don’t want to see Denny Hamlin count points. I still feel like they did what they had to do this weekend. But I’d still rather see him battling Kyle Larson. And taking the chances to win the races and not count points. Don’t believe that’s the way you’re gonna win the championship with Denny Hamlin. I think that they know that.

“They got their butts scared over the first two races and the way that they raced at Atlanta and the things that happened at Watkins Glen and still having to answer all the charter questions in the media center. They went to Bristol, Denny looked focused. I believe those guys can go out there and smash them into the ground. But they need to race like they’re gonna smash them into the ground. If I can smash you in the ground, I wanna punch you in the face so you know I’m here. I believe those guys can do that and I don’t wanna see them counting points. I’d rather see them wreck and go win two races in a round than count points.”

Denny Hamlin calls out haters: ‘I did not, unfortunately, see them in my mentions’ after Bristol

After finishing P24 at Atlanta and P23 at Watkins Glen, Hamlin had some work to do at Bristol. While he came there to win, Hamlin and the rest of the field had nothing for the No. 5 car. Larson led 462-of-500 laps to win his fifth race of the season. A fourth-place finish, however, gave Hamlin enough points to advance as he continues to chase after his first Cup Series championship.

Hamlin quieted his haters of which there are many.

“I mean, certainly there are groups of people or lots of fans that root for my failure, right? I know that I did not, unfortunately, see them in my mentions this week,” Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast. “Was trying to figure out where all my trolls were this week, because I went back a little bit and maybe saw some people that I could have trolled from what you said last week, but I’m going to be the bigger man here and not say anything, nor give you the attention that you’re so desperately wanting.”