Denny Hamlin gives verdict on Martin Truex Jr replacement after Christopher Bell blunder

As we approach the halfway point of the 2024 season, speculation is rife about 2025. One of the biggest news stories this season was the departure of Stewart-Haas Racing after 15 exceptional seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, one of its drivers has already found a golden ticket: he will replace Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 at Joe Gibbs Racing, and Denny Hamlin is full of hope.

JGR teammate Denny Hamlin was visibly sad to see Truex pack up and leave. Plus, the No. 11 driver has high expectations for his replacement. Truex’s best friend Christopher Bell ended up spilling the beans prematurely. However, the question remains: Will they be able to match Bell’s tenacity? After Bell’s gaffe in Nashville, it’s something that has fans and drivers alike worried.

Denny Hamlin Raises Hopes for New Face 19

SHR’s most successful driver is Chase Briscoe, who has six top-10 finishes and two top-five finishes this season. His best performance came in New Hampshire, where he finished second. It demonstrated his dedicated excellence, making him worthy of filling the 19 shoes. Martin Truex Jr. owns 15 wins at Joe Gibbs Racing and could have a capable successor.

Denny Hamlin was holding that optimistic view, as he broke his silence on Chase Briscoe’s induction. Speaking on an episode of “Actions Detrimental,” he praised the No. 14 SHR driver: “I think Chase has some really good qualities. He excels on certain tracks. I’ll be happy to compare myself to him when he’s in the same car.” Recently, Hamlin also praised Briscoe’s superior driving skills in wet conditions, as we saw in New Hampshire.

Denny Hamlin therefore delivered a clear verdict on Briscoe’s induction, citing his diverse resume. “I think he will bring something to the discussion. He will always have unique perspectives from a driver who has played in another organization, another manufacturer… all of that will be interesting when he comes to our meetings next year.”

Denny Hamlin’s predictions have a penchant for accuracy, and this time around, it should be no different. Most recently, at Nashville, Chase Briscoe battled in the top five toward the end. In the fourth overtime, he gave up the lead to Joey Logano and promptly ran out of gas. His old friend Christopher Bell’s fate ended much earlier: Despite two stage wins, Bell crashed on Lap 228. As they prepare to be teammates, Briscoe could easily become an internal rival to Bell.

Denny Hamlin’s badge of honor means a lot to Chase Briscoe. Yet ironically, the two men have had their fair share of feuds in the past.

Hamlin criticized Briscoe’s driving skills earlier

Two years ago, Denny Hamlin’s current stance toward Chase Briscoe would have been hard to imagine. In 2022, the two have had a bitter feud on and off the track. It began in August 2021, when Briscoe spun with Hamlin at Indianapolis. Then, at the 2022 Texas race, the then-rookie driver slammed into the wall while riding side-by-side with the JGR driver. “That’s what he gets for being an asshole.” Hamlin said on the radio.

That wasn’t the end of the story, as the two men moved their feud online. Referencing a 2017 incident where Hamlin apologized to Chase Elliott due to his driving experience, Briscoe posted: “If only I had 10,000 races of experience under my belt.” Denny Hamlin then brutally criticized Briscoe’s prospects: “I’m not sure you can do it. There are cars that are racing for a championship. In case you forgot to take out the leader and already cost him a championship this season. Maybe by learning to give and take you’ll finish better.”

It’s a relief to see that both drivers have made great strides since then. Denny Hamlin is now looking forward to having Chase Briscoe as his teammate, and we can only wait and see what the future holds.