Kevin Harvick has issued a stark warning about Denny Hamlin’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series, highlighting the shrinking window for the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran to secure a championship.
With no wins since April 2024, Hamlin is under mounting pressure as his contract nears its end and teammate Christopher Bell continues to surge ahead. Harvick, addressing concerns this week, emphasized that Hamlin’s time to secure his legacy is “clicking down.”
Hamlin’s 2025 season reflects his career trajectory, showing flashes of brilliance overshadowed by missed opportunities. His second-place finish at Phoenix last weekend showcased his speed but raised further doubts about his ability to close races.
Amid sponsorship changes, crew chief shifts, and Bell’s recent dominance, the 54-time winner faces a critical juncture.
Kevin Harvick’s Blunt Take on Denny Hamlin’s Fading Opportunities
Harvick, the 2014 Cup champion turned analyst, didn’t hold back during his Happy Hour podcast. “Denny’s running out of opportunities to not only win a championship but to win races. He’s capable of winning races, but the clock’s ticking,” Harvick said.
“As you get closer to the end, and people know you’re thinking about retiring, it becomes harder to get good people, and it becomes harder to keep people motivated,” Harvick added. His comments align with garage rumors questioning Hamlin’s future, especially with Bell dominating the headlines with three consecutive wins.
Phoenix highlighted Hamlin’s struggles. Battling Bell for the lead on the final lap, Hamlin drifted high off the exit and lost by just 0.049 seconds.
“Denny winning that race would have silenced all the noise around his new team and recent challenges,” Harvick said, referencing Hamlin’s sponsor changes and crew chief shuffle. The #11 team’s season thus far includes two top-10s, alongside disappointing finishes of 21st and 24th, fueling skepticism about Hamlin’s form.
Hamlin’s last victory came at Dover’s Würth 400 in April 2024. His consistency in the playoffs—13 appearances in 14 seasons—contrasts with his championship near-misses, including a runner-up finish in 2010. Reflecting on his winless streak, Hamlin admitted, “It’s been an eternity. It feels like years.”
JGR’s Team Tensions and the Las Vegas Challenge
Internal dynamics at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) have added pressure to Hamlin’s situation. Bell’s recent dominance, marked by three straight wins after a 19-race drought, has raised questions about the #20 team’s resurgence.
“It’s hard to analyze from the outside,” Hamlin said after Phoenix. “Three in a row is pretty impressive, and whatever they’re doing is working well.” His remarks suggest rising tensions, echoing past clashes between Hamlin and teammates at JGR.
Denny Hamlin on what Christopher Bell's team has done well to rattle off three consecutive wins. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/NvuQmqO6L4
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 10, 2025
Next on the schedule is Las Vegas, a track that has haunted Hamlin throughout his career. Despite earning four poles at the track, he has never won there. A strong performance could revive his championship hopes, while another missed opportunity could deepen concerns about his decline.
Harvick believes the stakes are high. “He knows that those moments are getting fewer and fewer to capitalize on race wins and championship contention,” Harvick warned. “The clock’s ticking.”
Hamlin’s goals remain clear: reach 60 career wins (he needs six more) and finally secure a championship title. But with Bell’s star rising and Harvick’s warnings echoing, Hamlin faces a pivotal choice: Adapt and fight for his legacy or risk letting those chances slip away.