Denny Hamlin reveals whether he feels better without Team Penske in the Championship 4

Denny Hamlin shared that he respects Team Penske's track record at Phoenix, considering how they've dominated at similar flat tracks. Nonetheless, Hamlin admitted that he feels 'psychologically' better knowing Penske is out of the title race.

Flat tracks have been a proving ground for the Penske outfit. Both Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano performed well in the playoff races at New Hampshire, Gateway and Martinsville. Blaney even notched up a win at New Hampshire, while he came close to it at Martinsville.

Moreover, the team has reigned supreme for the past three years at Phoenix. Now that they've missed the championship race, there's a collective sigh of relief among contending teams. Even Christopher Bell, who got eliminated at Martinsville, suggested that all the final four drivers are deserving of their title shot.

In the past, Penske drivers like Logano have made it through in the last minute, despite underwhelming performances throughout the year. Reflecting upon the same, Hamlin was asked if he found any comfort in their elimination this year.

"It certainly psychologically makes you feel better. I don't know that it really matters. You're an idiot if you don't respect what they've done at that racetrack, right? I know Blaney downplayed this weekend quite a bit about people just expect me just because I've won the last two Martinsville races, I'm going to go do it again. He's like, it's not that easy. And he's right, but he nearly did again," he said via Youtube/Actions Detrimental. [38:53 onwards] "And so when the media talks about mostly keeping Penke out, it's just because you have to respect what they've done," he added.

At Phoenix, Denny Hamlin will battle against his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, along with Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and William Byron.

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Denny Hamlin goes over his odds at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin addressed his chances at Phoenix Raceway by making a comparison to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The JGR ace had a mid-pack finish in the playoff race at New Hampshire, while HMS drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson finished inside the top-10. Chase Briscoe, meanwhile, barely finished ahead at tenth.

On the same episode of Actions Detrimental, Hamlin said,

"New Hampshire was a little bit of a, you know we weren't great at New Hampshire and that's similar, you know, similar banking similar tire and so that was a little bit of a warning but I think we'll be good." [38:25 onwards]

Denny Hamlin, however, did have a better outing in the spring race at Phoenix. He finished second, while his teammate Christopher Bell took the top step. If the No.11 team can find a way to repeat the same, given that they've had an extra week to prepare, Hamlin is bound to find pace at the 1-mile track.

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Edited by Vignesh Kanna