Dale Earnhardt Jr. Predicts Denny Hamlin as 2026 NASCAR Champion

In a recent episode of his podcast "Dale Jr. Download," retired NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. predicted that Denny Hamlin will win the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship. This prediction follows Hamlin's victory at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, marking his first win of the season. Earnhardt Jr. expressed confidence in Hamlin's ability to maintain momentum throughout the season, stating, “Denny Hamlin is my pick for the championship this year.”

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Hamlin's recent win at Las Vegas not only secured his 61st career victory but also allowed him to surpass Kevin Harvick for 10th place on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. He is now just two wins behind Kyle Busch. Furthermore, Hamlin has become one of only five drivers in NASCAR history to win at least one race in 20 different seasons, joining legends such as Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon. Despite these accomplishments, Hamlin is still in pursuit of his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.

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Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that Hamlin often downplays his talent compared to other top drivers, suggesting that he works harder than many of his peers. However, Earnhardt Jr. believes that Hamlin possesses more skill than he acknowledges, stating, “I think he’s better than, quite possibly, a Cale Yarborough, some of those big names he’s looked up to.” He noted that Hamlin's continued competitiveness in his 21st full-time season is an anomaly, as many drivers tend to decline in performance during their early to mid-40s.

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Earnhardt Jr. further speculated that if Hamlin continues his current trajectory, he could be considered for a place on NASCAR’s "Mount Rushmore" of drivers. He remarked, “A couple more years, you might put him on the Mount Rushmore. I do believe, talent wise, he ranks way higher than he wants to admit.” As of now, Hamlin is positioned fourth in the points standings and will head into the upcoming Goodyear 400 at Darlington as the defending champion.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s endorsement of Denny Hamlin as the potential 2026 NASCAR Cup Series champion highlights both Hamlin's impressive career achievements and his ongoing quest for a championship title. With his recent victory and strong performance, Hamlin remains a formidable contender in the NASCAR landscape.

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