This year’s Cup Series playoffs have been a rollercoaster ride for Denny Hamlin. After racing vigorously in the first elimination round, people touted him as finally ready to claim a championship. However, things haven’t gone as he wanted them to since then. So, how do Denny’s chances compare to those of others?

Despite a massive loss of traction in the championship race, it is still too soon to count out Denny Hamlin. For someone who has been in the game for about two decades, he also has the records to prove his mettle. But the former driver and commentator, Kyle Petty, beg to differ this time around. Last week’s mechanical failure has already put the #11 team in a spot of bother, and with the stakes peaking, there is no better time to deliver.

Kyle Petty believes Denny Hamlin will feel the heat at Martinsville

Arriving at Martinsville, the Joe Gibbs Racing ace is fifth in the playoff standings, with 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick ahead of him in the pecking order to qualify. While both of these drivers are outside the top 4, Ryan Blaney is 17 points ahead of Hamlin and will gain more in this race. Looking at the difference in points, it will be tough for Hamlin to qualify on the strength of points alone.

That is why he has no other option but to win. He is the best-performing active driver at the track, with five previous victories, 18 top-5s, and 24 top-10 finishes. An average finish of 10.6 also shows that we are more likely to get a strong performance from the 42-year-old. However, according to Kyle Petty, the recency factor will play a significant role here. As good as he has been on the track, he last won here in March 2015.

“Every time we go to Martinsville, we hear ‘Denny Hamlin, Denny Hamlin, Denny Hamlin,” claimed Petty. “Let me just throw two names at you. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have won at Martinsville since he has, okay? Martin Truex Jr. has three wins; I think some of those other guys have one win apiece. “

“My point is that’s not Denny’s playground anymore. It was at one point in time. So I think there’s pressure on Denny Hamlin coming in here. “ added Petty.

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Some of the other threats to Denny’s dream include one of his teammates as well. Martin Truex Jr. has three wins at the track and could revive his regular-season form. Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski have two wins apiece, and the majority of championship race-eligible drivers have a win, too.

Denny’s crew chief reveals Hamlin will relish the challenge

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Denny Hamlin limped to a P30 finish at Homestead due to a power steering failure. The mechanical failure took away all the veteran’s hopes from the race after he went to the front row and challenged Ryan Blaney for the lead. Witnessing all of this from pit road, slightly concerned Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart said,

“It would be hard to think of a position that would be more exciting, that’s for sure, and for many reasons,” Gabehart conveyed. “We’re below the cutline, a team that’s worthy of getting (to the Championship 4), the driver has 51 wins, hasn’t won a championship, clearly deserving, tons of wins at Martinsville, always has the audience’s attention, and we’re super-capable.”

“You add all that together and throw it in a cauldron, it’s sure going to make for an exciting day. I think that’s great. The relevancy of that – win, lose or draw – is what anyone can hope to sign up for.”

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Gabehart feels that, similarly to diamonds forming under pressure, the situation has presented the #11 team with an excellent opportunity to surpass itself and announce its presence at Phoenix.