Denny Hamlin: Another Year Without the Bill France Cup
Another year has passed, and Denny Hamlin remains without the elusive Bill France Cup. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, now in his 19th full-time season, holds the unenviable record for most wins by a driver without a championship. At 44 years old, the narrative feels less like bad luck and more like a curse. Despite an illustrious career, many doubt he’ll ever lift the championship trophy—a sentiment Hamlin has faced for over a decade.
Still, the Florida native seems unbothered by the naysayers. In a humorous Instagram post styled like a Spotify Wrapped list, Hamlin highlighted the storylines that have defined his career. But can he finally change the narrative in 2025?
Laughing Through Adversity
While 36 drivers have claimed Cup championships, few have Hamlin’s credentials. A three-time winner of both the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500, he has been a dominant force in NASCAR’s top tier. Yet, the championship remains out of reach. Despite coming close multiple times, Hamlin’s luck has often deserted him in critical moments.
Outspoken and polarizing, Hamlin has embraced his role as NASCAR’s “villain.” This dynamic was on full display in his recent Instagram post, where he humorously addressed his critics. The post included mock tracks like “Boo” by Everyone, “Zero Championships” by Hendrick Motorsports fans, and “I Love Your Podcast”, reportedly “played” 2,311 times. The post also featured a meme of SpongeBob SquarePants wearing a Chase Elliott cap. Elliott joined the fun on X (formerly Twitter), commenting, “Hats for sale btw,” with a link to his merchandise.
Hamlin’s humor masks a bitter reality. His 2024 campaign started strong with three wins in the first 11 races but fizzled out, leaving him winless in the final 25 events. He ended the season 8th in the standings—his worst finish in six years. At 44, time is running out for the veteran to secure his first championship.
New Beginnings with Chris Gayle
A glimmer of hope lies in Hamlin’s new partnership with crew chief Chris Gayle. The duo will aim for a fresh start in 2025, hoping to build consistency throughout the season. While Hamlin may not win over his critics, a championship would silence his doubters and redefine his legacy. After years of heartbreak, failing to secure a title would be a devastating end to an otherwise stellar career.
Playoff Heartbreaks
The playoff format has repeatedly been Hamlin’s undoing. Since its introduction in 2014, he has reached the Championship 4 four times but hasn’t appeared on that stage since 2021. Each of the last three years has brought fresh heartbreak:
- 2022: Ross Chastain’s infamous “Martinsville wall ride” edged Hamlin out of the Championship 4 on the final lap.
- 2023: Hamlin led 153 laps at Homestead in a must-win race, only for a power steering failure to send him into the wall, finishing third.
- 2024: Hamlin was leading with two laps to go at Homestead but was passed by Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick, with Reddick claiming victory.
Hamlin Calls for Playoff Reform
Hamlin has become a vocal critic of NASCAR’s playoff system, advocating for changes that reward regular-season success. “Give the guys that get 30-40 points under this system—the Bells, the Larsons—they deserve a really good buffer to make it through the rounds,” Hamlin said. “Those 26 races should mean more. The current format makes it so a championship is more about avoiding wrecks than season-long performance.”
His criticism isn’t unfounded. Despite six wins in 2024, Kyle Larson failed to make the Championship 4. Meanwhile, Joey Logano—the eventual champion—narrowly advanced to the Round of Eight after Alex Bowman’s disqualification and relied on strategic wins to secure the title. Taking a swipe at Logano, Hamlin remarked, “The system should reflect overall performance, not just who avoids wrecks in the playoffs.”
Logano fired back, noting that Hamlin supported the format when it debuted in 2014. “I’m not 100% sure, but I think this was his [Hamlin’s] idea,” Logano said on Dirty Mo Media.
What Lies Ahead?
Although NASCAR may consider changes to the playoff format, they’re unlikely to occur before 2026. For now, Hamlin must adapt if he hopes to dethrone Roger Penske’s dominance in the Cup Series. Will the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran finally break his championship drought in 2025? Time will tell.
What do you think? Can Denny Hamlin rewrite his legacy, or will the curse persist? Share your thoughts in the comments!
