Denny Hamlin isn't backing down in claiming that 2023 is his year. The now 51-time Cup Series race winner has made a vow that he will win the 2023 championship.
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Following his victory in Saturday night's race at Bristol, the No. 11 driver had plenty to say to the crowd who booed his win. Since then, Hamlin continues to pump his chest and insists that this is his championship to win, as his recent posts on social media show.
"It's our year," Hamlin said in a post with several photos from Saturday's victory.
It’s our year. pic.twitter.com/ABCd8TB04B
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 17, 2023
Hamlin had plenty to say to the crowd that night and even continued that talk into this week's episode of his podcast Actions Detrimental.
A hater can’t stand a winner pic.twitter.com/GbScRNH5Ib
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 18, 2023
He isn't afraid of the thousands of fans who boo him every week, and he looks to be using that to push himself into winning the championship.
Hamlin is now the driver with the most wins in NASCAR Cup history without a championship, and it is clear that it is growing in his mind as he wins more races.
It's very bold of Hamlin to call his own shot at winning the championship, but will it really happen for him? He truly believes so because of how strong his team has been, and he told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass that no one can beat the No. 11 team at the season-ending, and championship-clinching, final race at Phoenix.
"I'm just looking to try to get there, try to get to Phoenix. Once we get there, I'll focus on what it will take to be the best that day," Hamlin said. "We know week in, week out, if we're at our best, we can't be beat. I just don't think so."
To Hamlin, this year just feels different, and with how consistent his team has been this year, the other drivers and teams don't stand a chance.
"Certainly this year is different. I told you guys before the playoffs started, this year just feels different with the capabilities of our team and the speed we're showing," Hamlin said.
Time will tell if Hamlin is all talk or if he will finally back it up. He has been known to choke in previous championship opportunities. Will this year be any different? Hamlin certainly thinks so but until he actually pulls it off, take his talk with a grain of salt.
