Denny Hamlin emphasizes that his championship hopes rest on a streak of perfect stages, after Kyle Larson’s 2.2‑average finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway widened the gap for Hendrick’s No. 5 team.
Playoff Path Hinges on Stages
In a remark at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hamlin said, “If I win five in a row, we’re going to be the champions.” He added, “I can’t win five in a row unless I win one in a row, so I have to focus on one first and go from there.” This underscores a strategy of incremental gains rather than a single big push.
Las Vegas Strategy Slip‑up
Last week, Hamlin controlled the early runs but pitted during a caution when a track‑side stay‑on could have trapped Larson a lap down. He noted, “We didn’t do a good job last week.” The move left him four laps behind on fresher tires, and a spin in the marshals’ area damaged his splitter. Larson, in contrast, captured only one stage point yet finished second, creating the biggest playoff points swing between the two.
Laser‑Focus on Charlotte
Hamlin says the remaining races “can’t control what the 5 team does,” but they can control their own outcome. He highlighted the need to “win Charlotte and do whatever it takes to get that done.” The goal is to convert the remaining stages into points that can erase the current deficit to Kyle.
Evidence From the Regular Season
Hamlin’s confidence stems partly from a past comeback against Tyler Reddick. Over 10 races, he erased a 100‑point gap by winning races, a strategy he believes can be replicated now. He referenced this by saying, “What happened in the first 25 [laps] don’t matter when it comes down to these playoffs.”
Controlling the Variables
He emphasizes that “We can’t control what the 5 team does. We have put together a great 30 races or so,” yet must perform better in the playoffs. The focus is on disciplined stage runs, avoiding caution‑related errors, and preserving equipment, especially after the split‑ter damage.
With only five races remaining, the on‑track execution of each stage will determine whether Hamlin can bridge the points gap created by Larson’s early advantage.
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