As the Daytona 500 approaches, Denny Hamlin prepares for a crucial season ahead in 2025. With a new crew chief and a fresh sponsor, Hamlin has all the ingredients for success, but will it be enough to finally secure his first NASCAR Cup Series title? Dale Earnhardt Jr., a Hall of Famer and long-time racing analyst, has some strong thoughts on the matter, and he believes this could be a year of redemption for Hamlin.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Optimism for Denny Hamlin’s 2025 Campaign
On the latest episode of “The Dale Jr. Download”, Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on Hamlin’s prospects for the season, and he isn’t holding back. Despite some challenges in the previous year, Earnhardt Jr. is optimistic about Hamlin’s ability to bounce back.
“You’ve got Denny trying to get back to the championship, with a new crew chief there,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “They come out of the box competitive at The Clash. I think there is a motivation around Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny’s car to prove that they’re not going to fall off.”
Earnhardt Jr. went on to elaborate that Joe Gibbs Racing has made some key changes this season, and he believes they’ll do everything possible to ensure that Hamlin remains competitive.
“The organization and the moves they’ve made — they are going to make sure there’s no opening for criticism,” he said. “They’re going to make sure Denny goes to the racetrack and is competitive.”
Hamlin’s 2024 Performance and What’s Ahead in 2025
While Hamlin didn’t quite have the same dominance in 2024, his year wasn’t a complete wash. He managed to win three races and earn 13 top-five finishes, showing that he still has the talent and drive to compete at the highest level. However, the second half of his season became less successful, which generated concerns about the reasons behind his declining performance.
Various sources examined whether the active 23XI Racing lawsuit or his ongoing injuries, combined with his age, contributed to his performance changes. The 44-year-old Hamlin refuses to make any excuses and remains intensely focused on winning his first Cup Series championship.
“I’m just as motivated as I’ve ever been,” Hamlin said, echoing the sentiment that he’s not slowing down anytime soon. He’s come close to capturing the championship before, but it’s been just out of reach, and it seems like 2025 could be his year to finally break through that glass ceiling.
Will 2025 Be Hamlin’s Year?
As Earnhardt Jr. predicts, Hamlin has all the tools needed for a successful season in 2025. With the right changes in his team and the right mindset heading into the season, he could finally end his title drought. The Daytona 500 will be a major indicator of what’s to come, and if Hamlin can reclaim the crown at the Great American Race, it could be a sign of bigger things ahead.
With the way things ended for the No. 11 team in 2024, Hamlin is certainly motivated to rewrite the narrative and prove that he’s just as capable as ever of becoming the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure — this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet for Hamlin.
