Hamlin faces 40-point deficit with five NASCAR Chase races left
After a troubled first half of the Chase, Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing are targeting stronger results in the remaining five races.
Denny Hamlin is second in the NASCAR Cup Chase standings, 40 points behind Kyle Larson after five of the 10 races, according to Fox Sports. Hamlin has averaged 35.6 points per race, below his stated target of 40, while Larson has averaged 54.6.
Hamlin entered the Chase as top seed but has had finishes of 18th, ninth, eighth, third and 16th. At Las Vegas, he spun after reaching fourth and later lost positions when a fuel pressure issue arose under caution.
The result cost Hamlin 16 points relative to Larson in the standings. He said he and Joe Gibbs Racing needed to perform at their best in the remaining races, while focusing on results rather than chasing a particular points total.
Hamlin cited Charlotte, Phoenix and Martinsville as tracks where he has been strong this season. He finished third at Charlotte, fifth at Phoenix and second at Martinsville; all three are among the final five races.
Hamlin has 64 career Cup victories but is still seeking his first Cup title. The remaining races give him an opportunity to reduce the gap, though his points average so far is below the mark he had identified as a strong title pace.
