Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin took part in the production day at Fox Sports — where the network shoots videos and photos for the promos it uses during the season — less than a month after his father was killed from injuries suffered from a fire in his home. Hamlin’s mother was also caught in the blaze, but survived and is recovering.
Hamlin told Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass he’s doing, “OK, as could be expected,” just more than a week before the 2026 NASCAR season kicks off with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium exhibition race on Feb. 1.
Hamlin confirmed he will be racing in the event, but said, “I’ve considered all options,” when it comes to continuing his career after the tragedy. “I made a promise to Joe and the Gibbs family,” he said, about deciding to return to the car.
This week was the first time he’s been back to the team’s shop in November. “I think that once I get in the swing of it, it’ll actually be good to get back to it,” he said. “I just haven’t locked in, necessarily, for the season quite yet.”
Hamlin finished second to Kyle Larson in the championship after his dominant drive in the finale was upended by a late yellow flag and an overtime finish that saw Larson finish ahead of him on the track to claim the title.Things will be different this year as NASCAR resurrects the Chase postseason format, which will see the top 16 drivers after 26 races facing off in a 10-race points battle for the championship.
Read Also: THE ABANDONED 2013 NASCAR DODGE CHARGER STILL LOOKS GREAT
It’s similar to the format used from 2004 to 2013 and does not have a “win and you’re in” to the postseason provision, it is purely based on the points standings over the first 26 races. Stage racing continues and stage points will be awarded, but NASCAR has adjusted race points to give the winner 55 instead of 40, with second place getting 35 and each place after that getting one fewer point down to one for 36th and all places beyond that.
It turns out that Larson still would’ve won the title if this format was used in 2025 and Hamlin would’ve finished sixth, but team strategies will be different during the season with the Chase in mind, so it is not a perfect comparison.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE AMERICAN CARS AND RACING YOUTUBE CHANNEL
