Denny Conquers Bristol

Photo: Wade Payne/AP

Food City 500:

Denny Hamlin struck gold at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, securing his second straight win at the track and snagging his first win in 2024. Hamlin recovered from early tire issues and held off a late charge from teammate Martin Truex Jr to take the checkered flag and practically secure his spot in the 2024 playoffs. Hamlin, who to many (myself included), is a strong championship favorite can now focus on racking up wins and playoff points in his pursuit for his first NASCAR Cup Series title. As he and his posse state: he's A11IN for 2024.

Yet, Denny winning wasn't the main story of the day. The story of the day is no doubt the Goodyear tires, and not for, in many fans' eyes, a bad reason. Something we have been far too accustomed to over the years. No, this time, Goodyear had a tire that made racing exciting. And while it was an oddity, and will likely be fixed ASAP, Sunday's return to concrete at Bristol was intriguing and attention keeping for pretty much all 500 laps. The tire fall off, lack of rubber being laid down on the track, and the drivers being challenged by the tire chaos made the race compelling. There were drivers that rushed to the front just to fall back, drivers that couldn't get a grip (pun intended) on what they needed to do, and drivers who simply went into survival mode just to try and finish the race as best they could after 500 laps. Now, do I think this will be the new norm on short tracks? Absolutely not. And maybe it shouldn't be entirely. Drivers barely made it 40 laps on tires before many started to cord and blow. But this was the closest thing we have had to a natural, normal, great short track race. Something we have desperately missed the last few years with the NextGen car. I do hope NASCAR, Goodyear, and the teams can agree on some middle ground with this (or something damn close to it) the new normal on short tracks. It is what the fans deserve and, most importantly, it is what the sport needs as it continues to try and attract new fans.

No matter what made the race what the race was Denny figured it out the best and capitalized. Not only DH, but the most veteran drivers (Truex and Keselowski rounded out the top 3), and arguably the most gifted and talented made up the top 10. Some may argue that Bowman. JHN, and Buescher don't fit the mold, but I believe they do. Bowman, while not being as successful as his teammates, is still a great racer in great equipment. Buescher has been one of the better short track drivers in the NextGen, and JHN was a top 10 car all day. He undoubtedly earned his top 10 finish. Either way it should come as no surprise that Denny was top dog at the end of the day. He is arguably the best short track driver in the Cup Series currently. He won Bristol last fall, and is one of the better race management and tire management drivers in the field. It was the perfect storm for DH to take advantage of on Sunday. And that he did. Leading the most laps of the race en route to his first victory lane visit of the year.

The question for many now is does DH use this as a catapault to his first career championship? I am not sure any of have the answer for that entirely. It's still early in the year and we have yet to see a clear cut favorite in any way on the track this season. All I know is Denny appears more confidant and comfortable than he has in previous years. I think he has been poised to win the title the last few years, but something keeps stopping him. Sure, he has been talented enough his whole career, but now is his time. And if fans and drivers and other competitors alike think Denny won't use an early season win coupled with his swagger to do all he can to make their life miserable the rest of the year, then think again. We'll see what happens come November.

Picks for COTA: Cup - McDowell

Xfinity - Allmendinger

Trucks - Riggs