Denny Hamlin's NASCAR Future Faces Uncertain Reality After Las Vegas Win

A NASCAR insider warns that Hamlin's recent success may not last, citing the cautionary tale of Jimmie Johnson's rapid decline.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:52am

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Following Denny Hamlin's 61st career NASCAR Cup Series win at Las Vegas, a NASCAR insider pointed out the harsh reality surrounding the veteran driver's future in the sport. The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi warned that Hamlin's recent success, including five wins in the last six years, could be fleeting, just as it was for Jimmie Johnson in 2017. However, Bianchi also noted that Hamlin's strong work ethic and dedication to improvement have helped extend his career longevity compared to other top drivers.

Why it matters

Hamlin's win at Las Vegas was a significant milestone, as he joined an elite group of drivers to win 5 or more races after making their 700th Cup Series start. However, the insider's comments highlight the fragility of success at the highest level of NASCAR, where even the most accomplished drivers can see their fortunes change rapidly.

The details

Bianchi pointed to Jimmie Johnson's rapid decline after winning the championship in 2016 and then only winning 3 races in 2017 before never winning again. He warned that Hamlin's latest win 'could be his last' due to the unpredictable nature of success in NASCAR. However, Bianchi also acknowledged that Hamlin's strong work ethic, including extensive simulator time and a relentless drive to improve, have helped him maintain his competitiveness late in his career, even as other top drivers like Kyle Busch have leveled off.

  • Denny Hamlin won his 61st career NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2016 and then only won 3 races in 2017.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who has won 61 races in his career, including 5 or more after making his 700th start, putting him in elite company.

Jimmie Johnson

A seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who saw a rapid decline in his performance after winning the title in 2016.

Jordan Bianchi

A NASCAR insider and reporter for The Athletic who provided the cautionary commentary on Denny Hamlin's future.

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What they’re saying

“Again, I'm going to use this example again and again. I go back to Jimmie Johnson in 2017. Jimmie in 2016 wins the championship, comes out in 2017 and wins three races, pretty much in a hurry and he wins in Dover, kicks everybody's butt and you're like, 'Man, he's on a roll now, he's going to get that eighth championship.' And guess what? He never won again. You just don't know, and that's the sad reality. Hate to say it, but this could be Denny Hamlin's last win, because we have seen it happen before. It just stops. That's reality.”

— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider

“If he continues to work like this and continues to put himself in position when he's with a great team like this, the opportunity should be there.”

— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Insider

What’s next

The NASCAR community will closely monitor Denny Hamlin's performance in the coming races to see if he can maintain his recent success or if it was a fleeting moment, similar to Jimmie Johnson's rapid decline.

The takeaway

Denny Hamlin's late-career resurgence, including his 61st career win, highlights the importance of a strong work ethic and dedication to improvement. However, the cautionary tale of Jimmie Johnson's rapid decline serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished drivers can face an uncertain future in the unpredictable world of NASCAR.