Determined to get ‘Redemption’ and outdo Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin could be Chase Elliott’s biggest threat

Last year, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott earned his 4th Cup Series victory of the season at Pocono Raceway, claiming the 2022 Regular Season Championship title. While the past few years have seen the star of HMS living out its glory days, the 2023 season has repeatedly tested Elliott’s mettle. Yet to win a race, Chase Elliott is aiming for a win in hopes of securing a playoff berth, and what better place to reverse his luck than The Tricky Triangle?

Although Chase Elliott will be looking to repeat his victory at Pocono in the upcoming Pocono 400 Cup Series race, it won’t be an easy task.

Why, you ask me? Determined to seek redemption for the events of the last year, Denny Hamlin will pose the biggest threat to the HMS star.

Denny Hamlin appears to be Chase Elliott’s biggest Pocono threat

Chase Elliott won the 2022 M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 event in Pocono, but surprisingly wasn’t the first to take the checkered flag. The HMS star actually finished the race in 3rd place. Joe Gibbs Racing’s #11 Denny Hamlin originally won the race, with Kyle Busch as second.

Delighted to have won the race, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were later disqualified after both of their JGR machines failed post-race inspection.

This allowed NASCAR to take the win away from Hamlin, something the motorsports organization had not done in 62 years.

Preparing for the upcoming Pocono 400 event, Denny Hamlin will certainly be looking to redeem himself for being stripped of his victory.

Adding to Chase Elliott’s woes, Hamlin is also favored as the best odds to win for the upcoming Pocono 400 event on Sunday. To Denny Hamlin’s credit, the JGR #11 rider has six career wins at the Tricky Triangle. If Hamlin wins the next Pocono 400, he will surpass NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, with whom he is currently tied for the most wins, with six.

Watch this story: Denny Hamlin admits having a disagreement with a member of JGR after being victim of HMS Star

What the future holds for Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott at Pocono, we’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out. In the meantime, let’s dive deeper and find out what prompted NASCAR to impose the severe punishment on Denny Hamlin.

Why was Denny Hamlin disqualified?

Ready to leave Pocono Raceway, Denny Hamlin received a text message from his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, that his #11 Toyota had failed post-race inspection. While unboxing the vinyl from Hamlin’s machine, NASCAR officials ruled that illegal modifications had been made to the front end.

Saddened by the development, Denny Hamlin revealed the reason for his disqualification. “I think it was a shock to all of us, of course; something that hadn’t been done for sixty years.

“I thought we had one of those big Richard Petty motors in the car or something, but not this time. It’s a piece of duct tape, and they were pretty consistent that that was how they wanted to start with this new car. I just hope it’s consistent for everyone, no matter who wins the race. said the JGR driver, according to NASCAR.com, during a media appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2022.

Having the best odds, will Denny Hamlin finally claim his 7th career Pocono victory, or will luck once again favor HMS’s Chase Elliott?