On Sunday, Hamlin will make his 400th consecutive Cup Series start, dating back to missing the 2014 Fontana race. He will do so at a track where he enters as the defending race winner. In 35 career starts at the “Last Great Colosseum,” Hamlin has established himself as one of the best gladiators to conquer the high banks, with five consecutive top-10 finishes at Bristol, including two wins in the last three races there.
Hamlin is widely regarded as a favorite to win in Thunder Valley, particularly given his recent success on short tracks. Of course, he won the most recent short-track race at Martinsville in dominant fashion, leading 274 laps and owns 11 top-five finishes over the last 14 short-track races, including four wins.
Another victory at Bristol would not only give Joe Gibbs Racing its sixth win in nine races, but it would also make Hamlin the organization’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Kyle Busch. Additionally, it would mark the 30th occurrence in the modern era of a driver winning three consecutive races, with 12 of those instances resulting in a series title that season — and it’s no secret how much the Bill France Cup has eluded Hamlin throughout his illustrious career.
Despite being one of the most successful drivers of his generation, Hamlin has yet to capture the elusive championship trophy. Year after year, he’s remained a constant threat in the playoffs, yet the final prize has always slipped just out of reach. A win this weekend could be another step toward breaking that pattern. Momentum is clearly on his side, and his experience, especially on short tracks, continues to make him a weekly contender. As he approaches this career milestone, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this season might finally be the one where everything comes together for Hamlin.
