With his elimination from this year’s Cup playoffs after Martinsville, Denny Hamlin has seen his final chance to win a Cup Championship – at least as a driver – disappear.
There may be a chance for him to win a championship as an owner of 23XI but that will be a few years away (due to the same internal politics moreso than a lack of talent). He may also make a few more Final Four appearances in the #11 Toyota. But, as in years past, it will be to serve as a placeholder.
Denny should be used to that. After all, in 2019, both he and Martin Truex, Jr. were tag-teaming in that role for Joe Gibbs Racing’s then-Golden Boy, Kyle Busch. Truex’s crew chief, Cole Pearn, had to watch as his crew fumbled THE Money Stop of the year and put tires on the wrong side. Denny didn’t have to suffer that humiliation, but he was merely given a Top 10 car when he needed a winning car.
With Busch shoved aside and headed to Richard Childress Racing, Denny temporarily became JGR’s New Kyle with their marketing types getting the media to refer to Denny as “polarizing” and “opinionated” when there are other words to describe his behaviour. However, the spotlight (not to mention JGR’s substantial resources and efforts) in terms of championships going forward will be the company’s new Golden Boy.
Sorry, Denny but blood is thicker than water and that honour goes to Ty Gibbs.
When he started the 2023 Daytona 500, Ty Gibbs was but two years removed from beginning his first full season in ARCA. That alone should tell you all you need to know about JGR’s determination to get the boss’ grandson to the top of the NASCAR world as soon as possible.
Ty’s failure to win in his rookie Cup season says more about his lack of experience and less about just how many resources were put into making that a reality. Going forward, every resource that can be squeezed out of the JGR coffers will be put into making Ty Gibbs not just a champion but a multi-time champion. Unfortunately, there’s not a damn thing Martin Truex, Jr., Christopher Bell or, indeed, Denny Hamlin can do about it.
Truex got his championship before he came to JGR. The reaction to another Toyota team (Furniture Row Racing) daring to encroach on Gibbs’ territory was so destructive, Furniture Row closed down a year after their title win. Christopher Bell is probably in the same boat as Truex was with Busch, not able to have more championships than the star of the team.
Denny is a JGR lifer, the type of loyalty not just rarely but barely seen in any sport in this day and age of free agency and chasing the almighty buck. While such loyalty is admirable and likely means that his JGR satellite team will survive longer than Leavine Family Racing or Furniture Row, it will ultimately leave him with an empty spot in his trophy case where a Cup Championship might have been.
November 1, 2023
johnmilner.ca 