Denny Hamlin reacts to Chase Briscoe Talladega win, impact of two JGR cars in Championship 4

Chase Briscoe delivered a massive victory for Joe Gibbs Racing on Sunday, taking the checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway and locking himself into the Championship 4. He’ll now join teammate Denny Hamlin in Phoenix, giving JGR two cars in contention for the Cup Series title.

On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin shared his happiness for Briscoe and his No. 19 team. He praised both the driver and his crew for their incredible efforts throughout the season.

“It’s great for Chase,” Hamlin stated. “He’s such a good dude, and he’s been a really good teammate. I’m really happy for him and James Small. I know that James works really, really hard for that No. 19 team. And I love all their crew guys over there. Really happy for them to have this opportunity.”

With Briscoe’s Talladega win ensuring multiple JGR cars will compete for the championship, Hamlin was asked whether that changes how the team allocates its resources heading into Phoenix. The veteran driver said it doesn’t alter much, but acknowledged it creates a unique dynamic inside the organization.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know how soon that stuff all gets determined. What it does do, from my standpoint, it’s another data point,” Hamlin explained. “I’m going to know what one of my competitors has. Now, the downside is one of my competitors will know what I have.

“When it comes to it, more than likely at some point, we will run each other’s setups to see what does he like, what he’s going to go into this weekend with, and I’ll probably do the same.

“You know, one variable though for me personally — we’re all cocky, and we all feel as though we’re the best — is that I’m not going to get beat by equipment, you know what I mean? At least not by one of my competitors. So, it just puts more pressure on me to go out there and get it done.”

JGR could still see a third entry in the Championship 4, with Christopher Bell sitting within striking distance heading into the Round of 8 finale. The series now turns to Martinsville Speedway, where the final playoff spots will be decided before the championship is settled in the desert.

Whether it’s having to go through his teammates or some of the other fierce competition in the Cup Series, the goal remains the same for Hamlin — win your first ever championship, and complete an incredible journey. We’ll see if he can get it done.