Kyle Petty makes stinging comparison between Denny Hamlin, Justin Allgaier

When it comes to great drivers with a lot of wins and no championships, Denny Hamlin and Justin Allgaier are almost a fair comparison. Both are, to their credit, one of the best of their generation in their respective NASCAR national series.

Justin Allgaier is at times the equivalent of an all-star driver when he’s on. Allgaier is 10th all-time in Xfinity Series wins. Denny Hamlin is 12th all-time in Cup Series wins. In the last five years, Allgaier has finished an average of 3.2 in the end-of-season points standing. Hamlin has averaged 4.2.

Neither of them has won a championship.

Daniel McFadin of Frontstretch was listening to Kyle Petty on the Xfinity Series broadcast for practice and qualifying. Petty compared Allgaier and Hamlin, claiming The Gator is “almost” like Hamlin in the Xfinity Series.

Both, according to Petty, have a problem with closing the deal in terms of a championship.

Kyle Petty says Justin Allgaier is "almost" the Denny Hamlin of the Xfinity Series, since he's always in the championship discussion and can't seal the deal.#NASCAR

— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) September 28, 2024

Kyle Petty is a man with a lot of opinions. Personally, I think he has a good feel for the sport a lot of times, and I enjoy seeing him more involved in NBC broadcasts. He’s a real, legit connection to the founding of the sport, through his dad and grandfather. But he knows how the modern game works, too.

The Justin Allgaier and Denny Hamlin comparison is solid. The numbers show as much. Perhaps in the old system, straight-up points for the season, they would have one or two each. But this is modern NASCAR, the playoff system.

Hamlin is no doubt a future Hall of Famer. First ballot. But, let’s just say Allgaier goes on to finish his career with 35 Xfinity Series wins, 350+ top-10s, and 15 pole awards. It’s hard enough for Xfinity champions to get into the HoF without a solid Cup career to go with it. But could a championship elevate Allgaier to at least being put on a ballot one day?

Don’t forget, Allgaier is also the top-10s leader in the Xfinity Series, has an ARCA championship, and has won Most Popular Driver in the Xfinity Series four times, and likely a fifth time this season. There are worse resumes out there.

Justin Allgaier is still chasing that elusive championship. For now, both he and Denny Hamlin are still in their respective playoffs. Could this be the year of the drivers who have always been the bridesmaid and never the bride?