NASCAR: Joe Gibbs Racing Spring Break Update After Seven Races

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Mar 31, 2017; Martinsville, VA, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) climbs into his car during practice for the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Denny Hamlin

Wins: 0

Standings: 16th- 151 points (164 behind leader)

Top 10’s: 2

Avg Finish: 20.0

Stage Wins: 0

Poles: 0

This is where the JGR update really gets bleak. Denny Hamlin is a talented veteran driver. We just haven’t seen that yet in 2017. Three finishes of 25th or worse through seven races is not what you want to see from a guy who is expected to be a premier race car driver for one of the top teams in the series.

Back-to-back top 10 finishes at Las Vegas and Phoenix have really been the only positives so far in 2017. It just hasn’t looked like the #11 Toyota has been able to compete with the better cars each week. Hamlin and crew chief Michael Wheeler really need to find a way to get this car the speed and ability it needs to compete up front.

This week, Hamlin will look for his second career win at Bristol. If he can’t get it done on the short track, look for Hamlin to try to turn things around at Richmond where he won last fall.

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