As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season winds down and playoff tensions begin to rise, former NASCAR champ Kevin Harvick highlighted that Denny Hamlin is starting to separate himself from the crowd, not just with his on-track performance, but with his attitude.
With each win, Hamlin’s confidence seems to grow louder, and the paddock is starting to take notice. Among them is Harvick, known for his sharp insights and playoff pedigree, who offered a compelling take on how one trait could make all the difference for a title run.
As Denny Hamlin Nears 60 Wins, Kevin Harvick Flags Mental Edge as Key
According to Harvick, Hamlin’s growing confidence may be the biggest threat to the field as the NASCAR playoffs approach. The retired Cup Series champion and current analyst made the comments on this week’s episode of his Happy Hour podcast. A major talking point of this week’s podcast was Hamlin’s swagger after his latest win in Michigan.
Harvick and Mamba Smith explained what could be a defining factor in the weeks ahead.
With Hamlin fresh off another win and closing in on a major career milestone of 60 race wins, the spotlight is intensifying. NASCAR fans and insiders are focused on how he carries himself heading into the most critical stretch of the season.
Co-host Mamba Smith praised Hamlin’s post-win energy, urging him to keep the momentum going. “Just, honestly, DH, bro, just keep that same energy. Like, if you’re going to do it, I want you to bring it every single time you go to victory lane. Be like, ‘I beat your favorite driver,’ because, like, just keep that same energy.”
Harvick echoed the sentiment and emphasized the potential danger Hamlin poses to other drivers if he maintains this mental edge deep into the season. “Just got to carry that same confidence week 36,” Harvick said. “If he has that same, he’s all the way to Phoenix with that confidence. Could be dangerous.”
With his third win of the season in Michigan and just one victory away from 60 career Cup wins, Hamlin is peaking at the right time. Also, with the playoffs looming and Hamlin still chasing his career’s first Cup Series title, this combination of experience, speed, and boldness could make him a formidable opponent.
As Harvick and others have pointed out, if Hamlin can maintain that confident edge deep into the playoffs, he could finally break through and capture the elusive championship that has long evaded him.