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Denny Hamlin evaluates chances in second round of NASCAR playoffs, makes bold predictions for Bristol

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones09/11/25brianjones_93
Denny Hamlin
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin is getting ready for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol and the second round of the Cup Series Playoffs, which begin next week. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin evaluated his chances in the second round, which will have 12 drivers competing for the championship.

“You need to get off to a hot start in the second round,” Denny Hamlin said. “Talladega (third-round race), I feel like, is level for everyone, where the Roval probably isn’t. My shot of wrecking at Talladega is probably the same percentage amount this it is for Austin Cindric or whoever, Ryan Blaney. I’m not worried about [Talladega] for those reasons. I know it’s going to be the roll of the dice, if I crap out, I crap out.”

Hamlin then said, “Speed will matter” when competing at the Roval. He then said his team has to “get some work done early” in the second round. The good news for Hamlin is that he has more playoff points than any of the 15 other drivers, which puts him in a good position to have success in the Round of 12.

Denny Hamlin doesn’t see changes in the NASCAR Playoff standings

Hamlin then shared his thoughts on Bristol, which will be an elimination race. “It’s just a very, very tough track to race scared,” he said. “Racing scared means looking at points.” Hamlin then named drivers like Ross Chastain, Joey Logano and Cindric “will race apprehensive” because of how the track lays out.

The drivers Hamlin mentioned are above the playoff cut line. As for the four drivers who are below the cut line, the three-time Daytona 500 winner said, “I see no one from the bottom four that is a threat to go out there and score 50 points.” Hamlin then added that Chastain, Logano and Cindric are “safe just based off of how they’re racing.”

If Hamlin is right, that means Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman and Josh Berry will be eliminated from the playoffs after Bristol if neither one of them wins on Saturday night. However, Dillon is only 11 points below the cut line and will battle Cindric hard for the final spot in the second round. We’ll find out who makes the Round of 12 when the race takes place this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.