From intentional wrecks to penalties to bold predictions going wrong, this season has been anything but boring for the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin. Known for his fierce competitiveness and candid persona, Hamlin stirred up quite the storm during the Phoenix Raceway event earlier this year. A 25-point penalty landed on his lap like a thunderbolt after he openly admitted to intentionally wrecking Ross Chastain. While NASCAR is no stranger to dramatic moments, this one carried a detrimental consequence for Denny Hamlin.

As was highly anticipated, Denny Hamlin invited Michael McDowell on his podcast following the race at Indy Road Course. They talked about the challenge that went down between the two involving the HMS star Chase Elliott, in which Hamlin came out as the loser. Hamlin gave his reasons for why he said what he said. And while he was talking about points in the championship, he also explained why his penalty earlier this season could cost him his first-ever chance for a driver championship.

Denny Hamlin’s big mouth could end up costing him the Cup Series

Denny Hamlin, a JGR veteran in the Cup Series, has made several headlines this year for reasons beyond his driving skills. His contact with the #1 Chevrolet of Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain at Phoenix Raceway initially appeared incidental. However, Hamlin’s admission on his podcast revealed that the collision was far from accidental. His words, “It wasn’t a mistake. I let the wheel go and I said, ‘He’s coming with me,'” confirmed his intentions.

As a result, NASCAR imposed penalties that echoed the seriousness of his confession. A 25-point deduction and a $50,000 fine were delivered. Hamlin decided to appeal this decision to get his points reinstated. However, the appeal was denied, leaving him to contend with the consequences of his unfiltered disclosure.

Speaking to the Front Row Motorsports driver, Hamlin revealed what the penalty could end up costing him. “I am only 30 behind in the owner’s championship for the regular season. But I am 60 behind in the drivers, I said, because I got a penalty because of my podcast this year. So there is an opportunity that I win the championship for the #11 team, and I don’t win a championship again. Like, it would just be poetic and perfect.”

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Denny Hamlin also spoke about the predictions he made earlier concerning Elliott and McDowell and talked about his reasons for the same.

Hamlin believes that Michael McDowell defied all odds to win in Indianapolis

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Hamlin’s bold predictions of Elliott closing in on McDowell didn’t quite match reality. He confidently asserted that Chase Elliott’s road course prowess would propel him into the playoffs on points alone, defying the need for a win. However, reality had other plans. The first big hit came when Elliott didn’t finish the race at Michigan and scored just one point. The second hit was even worse. McDowell secured victory at the Indianapolis Road Course and proved Hamlin’s prediction emphatically wrong as he beat the Hendrick Motorsports driver on merit.

On the podcast, Hamlin acknowledged his miscalculation and commended McDowell’s performance.

“Dale Jr says that if you don’t win the race when they take the picture of the chequered flag being thrown. Your car is in the picture, right? And that’s what matters,” Hamlin asserted. “You put yourself in positions for that. And so, I was basing [the prediction] off of, well, we got Michigan, and I did know that historically it’s not been… I saw that top 20th was the best finish y’all have had there. And then I remember, the rain came, and I saw you get out and look at the front of the car, and I was like, oh boy, he’s got damage.

“So luckily, you guys were able to come out of there, and then come out swinging there at Indy road course.”

“I tried to put myself in statistically the best… make the best decision to say which two guys would make it. However, this is why people defy the odds. Michael McDowell defied the odds and put himself in the playoff picture,” he concluded.

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The ongoing season, shaped by Hamlin’s unfiltered expressions and his daring forecasts, promises continued excitement and surprises for fans of the sport. Let us know your thoughts on Hamlin’s championship prospects. Would he be able to manage the deficit from his penalty? Share your comments down below.