Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing Dominate NASCAR with Impressive Metrics
NASCAR is a sport built on speed and statistics, and Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) have been at the top of their game this season. In the first 33 races, Hamlin has proven his prowess, as highlighted by statistician Daniel Cespedes. Here's a breakdown of some impressive metrics that showcase Hamlin's dominance.
Driver Pairings and Lap Leadership
When it comes to driver pairings, Hamlin has been a force to be reckoned with. In the pairing with Kyle Larson, Hamlin has led only 61 laps, while Larson has led 299 laps, totaling 360 laps. However, when compared to his teammate Christopher Bell, Hamlin takes the lead. He has led 237 laps in first place, while Bell has led 98 laps, resulting in a combined total of 335 laps.
The dominance continues when Hamlin is paired with fellow JGR teammate Chase Briscoe. Briscoe has been No. 1 for 214 laps when Hamlin was No. 2 (67 laps), totaling 281 laps. And in the rivalry with Hendrick Motorsports' Chase Elliott, Hamlin shines again. He has led 131 laps in first place while Elliott runs second for 104 laps, totaling 235 laps. Another 1-2 combination with Hendrick driver William Byron sees Hamlin leading 57 laps when he is in first and Byron is second for a total of 206 laps.
Intermediate Tracks and Top 3 Performance
Hamlin's dominance extends to intermediate tracks between one and two miles. He leads the highest percentage of laps run in the Top 3, being the only driver to have led over 40 percent of laps while running in the top 3. In the Top 5, Hamlin and Byron are the only drivers to exceed 50 percent. In the Top 10, Hamlin and Byron again lead over 70 percent of laps. Finally, in the Top 20, Hamlin is the only driver to have logged over 90 percent of his laps in the top 20.
Most Laps Run in Each Position
The last category showcases Hamlin's leadership in second and third place. He has led the most laps in second place (1,009 laps) and third place (811 laps). While Kyle Larson takes the lead in first place with 1,100 laps.
These metrics demonstrate Hamlin's exceptional performance and JGR's strategic prowess. It's no wonder they are at the top of their game in NASCAR. For more fascinating insights, check out the embedded links, even if Denny Hamlin isn't your favorite driver. Jerry Bonkowski, a veteran sportswriter, provides an in-depth analysis of these impressive statistics.
