The Darlington Raceway has always been a tough track to compete in, and there is no one better than Denny Hamlin who can confirm that. Despite having five wins there, Hamlin has also had his fair share of challenges in South Carolina. But this time, as the garage heads there with changes in their cars, Denny Hamlin revealed that the biggest challenge this time isn’t what they know, but what they don’t.

“What’s going to be challenging this time around is all the unknowns. We have less downforce, more horsepower,” said Hamlin on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. “So the added 60 to 80 horsepower we have is going to feel like 200. I know everyone’s been pounding the drum, ‘Give me a 1000 horsepower, give me a 900,’ We’re going to have all that we want this weekend.”

The uniqueness of the track is its narrow, asymmetrical oval shape, which makes it tough for drivers. As the horsepower has increased this time, the cars will be harder to control, especially through Darlington’s uneven egg-shaped corners. Additionally, less downforce means less aero grip, which in turn means drivers won’t have that anchor to lean on. One small mistake and they’ll be sent into the wall, or as they call it, the infamous ‘Darlington stripe.’

Already considered to be one of the toughest races in the season, Denny Hamlin believes the challenge this year in South Carolina is going to be difficult to predict.

“It’s going to be a very mechanical grip type racetrack, which eventually means those tyres are going to wear out because all the load is going through it and not necessarily the downforce of the car,” said Hamlin. “The challenge is going to be all the unknowns. This is essentially like all the teams going to a new racetrack. I don’t think any of the notes you have from the previous years will correlate. I think somebody will hit it and absolutely crush the field, I just hope that it’s us.”

Last year, at the Goodyear 400 in 2025, Hamlin won in a dramatic two-lap overtime shootout, beating William Byron, who led 243 of the 297 laps. Now, after his emotional win in Las Vegas, Hamlin is currently placed fourth in the driver standings. And he will be hoping to extend that at the 1.366-mile track.

Win at Darlington would be massive for Denny Hamlin’s championship hopes

The return of the Chase Championship means that every regular-season win is going to be valuable. With a race-win now worth 55 points, there is a lot at stake for teams. Hamlin, who is yet to win the coveted championship, will know this more than anyone as he missed out on the trophy in heartbreaking fashion last year.

With the change in rules, Hamlin has emphasized the focus on regular-season wins.

“The point standings are not different this year than they were last year, other than for the guys that win,” said Hamlin on the Actions Detrimental podcast. “All we’re looking at now is the regular season. You’re going to see people winning stages and winning races, and so there’s going to be a big jump in points.”

The 45-year-old entered the history books with his 61st career win at Las Vegas. He overtook Kevin Harvick on the all-time NASCAR wins list. He will now be hoping to take the momentum from that historic win to Darlington and continue piling the pressure on the points leader and his 23XI driver, Tyler Reddick.