Denny Hamlin enters the NASCAR Cup Series Chase as the title favorite
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 6:28 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
Denny Hamlin begins the opening round of the second iteration of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the Championship as the primary favorite to secure the title. The veteran driver seeks his first series championship following a disappointment in last season's Final Four format. Hamlin is currently two months away from his 46th birthday as he navigates the high-stakes playoff structure. With his planned retirement scheduled for 14 months from now, the current campaign represents a critical window to claim the missing career milestone. While he looks to secure the title this year, the prospect of his upcoming departure adds pressure to his performance during this final postseason run. No guarantees exist regarding his competitiveness into next year, making the current Chase a defining stretch for his remaining career.
- •Denny Hamlin enters the NASCAR Cup Series Chase as the betting favorite
- •The driver turns 46 years old in two months
- •Hamlin is scheduled to retire in 14 months
- •Last season's Final Four format prevented him from winning the championship
- 6:28 PMMotorsport.com — Does Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Chase favorite, get it done at 45?
"A year after the Final Four format denied him that elusive NASCAR Cup Series championship, Denny Hamlin enters the first year of the second iteration of the Chase for the Championship as the favorite. He is two months away from his 46th birthday and 14 months away from his intended retirement. Next year is not a guarantee and this very well could be his last chance to win the missing ...Keep reading
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