Denny Hamlin Gives His Verdict on Martin Truex Jr’s Replacement After Christopher Bell’s Blunder

As we drive past the halfway mark of 2024, speculations are afoot about 2025. One of the heaviest updates of this season was Stewart-Haas Racing’s departure after 15 stellar seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, one of its drivers already found a golden ticket – as they will be replacing Martin Truex Jr in the No. 19 spot at Joe Gibbs Racing, and Denny Hamlin is hopeful.

JGR teammate Denny Hamlin was visibly sad to see Truex pack up. Not only that, but the No. 11 driver has high expectations for his replacement. The latter’s best buddy, Christopher Bell, ended up spilling the beans prematurely. However, the question remains, will they be able to match Bell’s tenacity? After Bell’s Nashville blunder, that is something that concerns both fans and the drivers.

Denny Hamlin drums up hopes for the new 19 faceADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The best-performing driver in SHR is Chase Briscoe, boasting six top-ten finishes and two top-fives this season. His best run came in New Hampshire where he eked out a runner-up finish. This demonstrated his dedicated excellence, making him worthy of filling the 19 shoes. Martin Truex Jr owns 15 victories in Joe Gibbs Racing and may have an able successor.

Denny Hamlin harbored this optimistic view, as he broke his silence on Chase Briscoe’s induction. Speaking on an ‘Actions Detrimental’ episode, he sang praises of the No. 14 SHR driver: “I think that Chase has a very good skill set. Certainly at some tracks, he excels really well. I’ll be excited to compare myself when he is in the same car.” Recently Hamlin also commended Briscoe’s superior driving skills in wet conditions, as we saw in New Hampshire.

Thus Denny Hamlin passed a clear-cut verdict on Briscoe’s induction, mentioning his diverse resume. “I do think that he will bring something to the table. Always unique perspectives from a driver that has been at another organization, another manufacturer…all that will be intriguing as he comes into our meetings next year.”

Denny Hamlin’s predictions have a penchant for accuracy, and this time should not be otherwise. Most recently in Nashville, Chase Briscoe battled in the top five toward the end. In the fourth overtime, he yielded the lead to Joey Logano and soon ran out of gas. His old pal Christopher Bell’s fate ended way earlier – despite winning two stages, Bell crashed out on lap 228. As they prepare to be teammates, Briscoe may easily become an internal rival to Bell.

Article continues below this ad

Denny Hamlin’s badge of honor spells enormously for Chase Briscoe. Yet, ironically, the two had a fair share of feuds in the past.

Hamlin slammed Briscoe’s driving talents earlierTwo years ago Denny Hamlin’s current posture towards Chase Briscoe would have been difficult to imagine. In 2022, the two cultivated a bitter feud both on and off track. It began in August 2021, when Briscoe spun Hamlin at Indianapolis. Then in the 2022 Texas race, the then rookie driver slammed into the wall while racing side-by-side with the JGR driver. “That’s what he gets for being a f****** idiot,” Hamlin said over his radio.

Article continues below this ad

That was hardly the end of it as the two moved their feud online. Referring to a 2017 incident where Hamlin apologized to Chase Elliott due to his driving experience, Briscoe posted, “If only I had 10,000 races worth of experience under my belt.” Then Denny Hamlin brutally bashed Briscoe’s prospects: “Not sure you’ll get there. There’s cars racing for a championship. In case you forgot about taking out the leader and costing him 1 championship already this season. Perhaps when you learn give and take you will start to finish better.”

It is a relief that the two drivers have taken great strides since then. Now Denny Hamlin looks forward to having Chase Briscoe as a teammate, and we can only wait and see what the future holds.