Denny Hamlin’s career in the Sprint Cup Series has a distinct pattern to it. If there’s a good season, it’s followed up by a disappointing season. For example, when he won two races as a rookie, the Budweiser Shootout, and the Rookie of the Year award on his way to third in the final points in 2006, he won only once in ’07 and brought up the bottom of the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup grid. Again, after leading the series with wins (eight) in 2010 and finishing second in the final points, he one only once in ’11 and finished ninth in points.
But after coming within a few positions of taking the 2014 Sprint Cup championship, Hamlin’s lack of strength in 2015 has many wondering if he’ll be able to pull it together long enough to make a run for the title at Homestead. His patterns are that predictable. That’s not saying Hamlin is having a bad year by any means, considering he’s solidly in the Chase field thanks to a win at Martinsville. But if he can somehow regain his focus he may very well beat his string of disappointing seasons following a good year.
However, his All-Star win and the win at Martinsville are all Hamlin really has going for him in 2015. He’s currently 10th in the standings, with six top-fives and nine top-10s in 22 starts this season. Some of that bad fortune isn’t his fault, granted. He had a good run at Dover squashed when his pole-winning Toyota was destroyed when errant contact from Clint Bowyer sent him into the wall.
It’s not for lack of effort from the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas. Every year they produce teams capable enough to contend for wins and championships. Hamlin has yet to have a winless season in the No. 11, and he’s run up front in most of the races he’s run. They’ve dominated their fair share of races. All signs point to Hamlin winning again this year. That’s within the realm of possibility when every other Gibbs Toyota has visited Victory Lane this season multiple times (with the exception of Carl Edwards, who could win again this year).
But then again, it just seems like Hamlin doesn’t seem focused. His cars are mechanically sound week-in and week-out. Sure, there’s the occasional incident that’s out of his hands. For example, for the past few weeks his Toyota seems to have developed an issue regarding hood pins.
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For the record, despite losing his hood at Watkins Glen and getting it replaced, he did rebound to finish 12th at the end of the day. He made the most of a bad day, something he’s a pro at doing. He’s a pro at many other things, including keeping his car together and under control. He’s also a pro at rustling a few jimmies (just ask Austin Dillon).
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Hamlin is a driver who can win and run well anywhere and everywhere. He’s that good. From Martinsville to Talladega he’s been at the front. He knows this and we know this. It’s something he will have to utilize if he wants to stop this funk of good year-bad year-good year-bad year. There’s nothing wrong with his team or his cars.
He needs to focus on his capabilities as a driver. He’s got three of the best drivers in NASCAR to lean on as teammates if he wants to learn a thing or two. If he would actually try to make the most of himself as a driver, focus on what he needs to do, and use all the resources afforded to him as a driver, he’ll be in the Final Four at Homestead. That’s a promise.
Weigh in below on whether or not Denny Hamlin will contend for the 2015 Sprint Cup championship come Homestead.