NASCAR: How each of the five remaining playoff drivers can win their way to Homestead-Miami
By Dustin Smith
How Denny Hamlin makes it to Homestead-Miami
If you were to poll the NASCAR world on who out of the final five drivers remaining they hope misses the Championship 4, more than likely the name that would come up the most would be Denny Hamlin. Hamlin, who trails Brad Keselowski for the final Championship 4 spot by 19 points, could also make the final four based on points alone.
Hamlin took home a 10th place finish in March at Phoenix and will at the very least need to place in a similar position this weekend. Similar to Ryan Blaney, if Hamlin can finish the stages up front and finish in the top 5, that should be enough to get him in the finals. Not to beat a dead horse, but if another combatant wins on Sunday, the points wont really matter.
The one thing we know heading into Phoenix is Chase Elliott has not yet gotten Hamlin back for spinning him at Martinsville. Could this be the week Elliott gets his revenge? Or will Denny Hamlin win his second race at Phoenix? Hamlin won at Phoenix in March of 2012 and will more than likely need to do the same on Sunday. I do, however, feel this Sunday is the perfect time for Chase Elliott to get Hamlin back, especially if the two are battling for the win.