NASCAR’s 2023 season has been nothing short of a Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) masterclass—but here’s where it gets controversial: are they dominating too much, or is this the peak of racing perfection? The numbers don’t lie, and they paint a picture of a team firing on all cylinders. Let’s dive into the metrics that prove why Hamlin and JGR are the talk of the track this season.
Statistician Daniel Cespedes recently broke down the data, revealing just how dominant Hamlin has been. Take, for instance, the driver pairings where two racers run the most laps together in first or second place. When paired with Kyle Larson, Hamlin led only 61 laps compared to Larson’s 299, totaling 360 laps together. But here’s where it gets interesting: when Hamlin teams up with JGR teammate Christopher Bell, the dynamic shifts dramatically. Hamlin led 237 laps in first place, while Bell managed 98, for a combined 335 laps. This stark contrast highlights Hamlin’s ability to take the lead when it matters most.
And this is the part most people miss: Hamlin’s consistency across different pairings. With JGR’s Chase Briscoe, Briscoe led 214 laps in first place while Hamlin ran second for 67 laps, totaling 281 laps. Yet, when paired with Hendrick Motorsports rivals like Chase Elliott, Hamlin reclaims the top spot, leading 131 laps to Elliott’s 104 for a total of 235 laps. Even with Hendrick’s William Byron, Hamlin led 57 laps in first place, totaling 206 laps together.
Now, let’s talk intermediate tracks—the one- to two-mile circuits where Hamlin truly shines. He’s the only driver to lead over 40% of laps while running in the Top 3, a feat no one else has matched. In the Top 5, only Hamlin and Byron exceed 50%, and in the Top 10, they’re the only two drivers above 70%. Here’s the kicker: in the Top 20, Hamlin is the sole driver to log over 90% of his laps, proving his unmatched consistency.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Hamlin leads the most laps in second (1,009) and third place (811), Kyle Larson dominates first place with 1,100 laps. Does this mean Larson is the better driver, or is Hamlin’s versatility across positions more impressive? We’ll let you decide.
Whether Denny Hamlin is your favorite driver or not, these metrics are worth exploring. Check out the embedded links for a deeper dive into the data. And here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is Hamlin’s dominance a testament to his skill, or is it a reflection of JGR’s superior strategy? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
