Denny Hamlin talks battling Tyler Reddick for NASCAR Cup Series title, growth of 23XI Racing

Denny Hamlin is in an fascinating place this season. He is presently in second place within the standings behind his 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddickwhich means he might win and lose the title on the identical time. On3 just lately spoke to Hamlin concerning the battle, and he revealed what he needs to occur.

“I’m very proud of him. Listen, I hope nothing would be more awkward, I think, than me finishing second in the standings to Tyler Reddick, going up and getting my second-place trophy, and then having to be the championship car owner that wins that,” Denny Hamlin mentioned. “So I don’t know how that would work, but hopefully the roles were reversed, and we won, and he finished second.”

Hamlin has but to win a Cup Series title regardless of successful 61 races. However, the 45-year-old is a regular-season champion as an proprietor after Reddick gained the title in 2024.

Denny Hamlin is ‘proud’ of the growth of 23XI

Reddick has put collectively a powerful first half of the 2026 season, successful 5 races (together with the Daytona 500), and has completed within the high 15 in each race this yr. Reddick started the season successful at Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA.

With the manufacturing of Reddick and Bubba Wallacewho’s presently in 10th place in the standings, 23XI Racing is rising as one of the highest groups in NASCAR. Hamlin began 23XI with NBA legend Michael Jordan in 2020, and he is proud of how a lot it has grown through the years.

“It was a dream to start this thing five years ago, but to see where that team has gone in such a short amount of time is just, it’s very proud,” Hamlin mentioned. “I mean, there’s anyone that has any kids understands you’re far more proud of them of their accomplishments than anything that you actually do yourself. So for me, knowing that I have a much larger role of winning over there than what I do actually as a driver… As a driver, if I win, I’ve done a great job doing my little part. As a race team owner, you know that you’ve had a hand in just about everything in the performance of that car, especially on the competition side.”