Denny Hamlin Edging Closer

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025 | Edition #207

👋 Dear Motorheads,

The final round of the In-Season Challenge is on the horizon, and with $1 million up for grabs, the tension between the two Ty’s couldn’t be higher. All eyes are also on Denny Hamlin, who’ll look to conquer ‘The Brickyard’ and complete the Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, the ARCA Menards Series just hit a major milestone, with these female drivers who have good records. And, a former Cup Series champ is raising questions about Michael Jordan’s commitment to 23XI Racing. It looks like things are getting pretty heated both on and off the track.

 🎯 Sunday’s Cup Race Odds

Who Is the Brickyard Favorite?

We’re heading back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for another thrilling Brickyard 400. Five of the last seven editions of the race have gone into overtime, and the odds are hinting at another action-packed fixture. As you’d expect, clean air is everything at the 2.5-mile oval, and the big names are right on top of the bookmakers’ lists, provided they can survive the restarts.

Leading the odds at +450 is Denny Hamlin, who will be more motivated than ever at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After his Dover win, the veteran racer made a weird admission of never wanting back-to-back wins.

But maybe he wouldn’t regret it. He has never kissed the bricks at Indy, one of the few things missing from his Hall of Fame resume. It could be a Grand Slam win as he would join an elite list of drivers.

Right behind him at +500 is Kyle Larson. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has recently overcome a slump in form to finish fourth at Dover. Last year, he made a comeback from the rear after a loose wheel forced an extra pit stop, but he turned that circumstance to his advantage by making good use of his fuel to take the win.

Then there’s Ryan Blaney, listed at +625. The Team Penske driver has a point to prove at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, especially after what happened last year. He was in a prime position to take the win, but when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel, the restart reshuffle gave Larson the preferred lane. He needs this win more than ever. There’s frustration. Disappointed. Not just with himself, but even with NASCAR. He certainly didn’t mince words. Watch here.

Lastly, but not least, we have Tyler Reddick at +900. The 23XI Racing driver has been somewhat of an enigma this season, with only eight top-10s but still somehow fifth in points. He started on pole at last year’s Brickyard 400 and led a race-high 40 laps before finishing second to Larson.

If the No. 45 team can put up a clean race this time around, there’s no reason why they can’t secure their first win of the 2025 season at Indy.

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🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

Record ARCA Line-Up Rivals Danica’s Daytona Era

History was made at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Six women featured at the upcoming LiUNA! 150, tying the record for most female drivers in an ARCA or NASCAR-sanctioned race. The milestone was first set in 2010 at Daytona, when Danica Patrick finished 6th while driving the No. 7 Chevy for JR Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series.

And now, the LiUNA! 150 presented by Dutch Boy saw a new generation of female drivers, such as Becca Monopoli, Regina Sirvent, Lanie Buice, Isabella Robusto, Quinn Davis, and Kadence Davenport, take over the track. While some have been around the block for a while now, others are rising stars, hoping to earn their place in the cutthroat motorsports world.

During the 2010 Daytona event, the likes of Danica Patrick, Jennifer Jo Cobb, Milka Duno, Leilani Münter, Alli Owens, and Jill George took over the racetrack. It was a milestone moment for the rise of female racers in what was traditionally a male-dominated sport.

Patrick turned heads on her debut as she bagged a P6 finish after surviving chaotic restarts and frantic last-lap battles. Take a look at how she took the checkered flag in a photo finish.

This trend repeated in 2022, the Milwaukee Mile featured six women competing on the racetrack once again. The likes of Toni Breidinger, Amber Balcaen, Mandy Chick, Stephanie Moyer, Amber Slagle, and Rita Thomason featured on the racetrack. And since it was a combo race between the ARCA Menards Series and the ARCA East Series, the milestone features in both series’ record books.

What made the IRP race so exciting is the variety of female drivers. Short track veteran Becca Monopoli, who finally got her big break, was forced to retire after just five laps. Then there’s Isabella Robusto, who finished fourth at Indianapolis Raceway Park, her fourth top-five finish in 11 races. But this could’ve been better.

With the green flag in the air, she was running in P2. Robusto and Lawless Alan were running door to door for that 2nd spot. But Connor Mosack wasn’t having it either, pushing all his limits to finish P3. Here, take a look at that last lap battle Robusto did.

Hailing from Mexico, Regine Sirvent finished 17th, while young talents Quinn Davis and Kadence Davenport ended up 19th and 23rd, respectively.

It was a big moment for the six drivers at IRP. When the green flag dropped, they didn’t just race for their future in the sport; they made history, too.

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll! 🏁

Can Danica Patrick’s NASCAR Legacy Ever Be Topped? If Yes, Who Among These Are Front-Runners?

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📈 Trending News

Denny Hamlin Closes In on His Retirement

It looks like 2025 will be Denny Hamlin’s season. Despite being 44 years old, the veteran has shown no signs of slowing down and recently signed this contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing as well. But this could very well be the last chapter in his long but illustrious career.

Hamlin’s new contract with Joe Gibbs Racing runs through the 2027 season, and considering his age, this could “probably, most likely” be his last contract with the No. 11 team. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Virginia-native made it clear he would want to close the curtains on his own terms, saying, “I want the ability to know I can win my last race.”

He’s not being naive to the fact that he could face a sudden downfall. And while Hamlin has a two-year runway to be competitive and launch a title campaign, he won’t tolerate mediocre results. And, Denny isn’t taking his extension for granted. He would rather have some big plans. Hear him out.

Everything is going according to plan at the #11 team. With wins at Darlington, Martinsville, Michigan, and Dover, he is leading the charge for JGR and Toyota. In doing so, he’s climbing the charts in all-time NASCAR wins with 58 victory lane visits. The win at Dover also helped him climb to fourth in the points standings and rack up 24 playoff points.

So, if this is likely his last contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, what’s next? He could likely compete on a part-time basis for 23XI Racing. It’ll give him that Cup Series fix without having to commit full-time at the highest level. Hamlin’s had a great career, with or without a championship trophy. It’s only fitting he phases out while he’s still competitive, and not hang back when he’s past his prime.

While Hamlin’s still at the top of his game right now, one can’t help but feel that his contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing is the start of his Last Dance.

🥊 In Today’s Debate

Is This the End of Jordan’s NASCAR Journey?

Things aren’t looking too good for 23XI Racing. The team had a promising start in the Cup Series with some important wins, high-profile drivers, and they even made it to the championship race last year. But now, with the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, the team’s fate looks pretty uncertain.

Questions are being raised about Michael Jordan’s commitment and whether he’ll be able to come out of this tussle unscathed. Former champ Kevin Harvick isn’t holding back and shared his thoughts, saying, “It sure seems like it’s not going the way that they thought it was going to go. As far as NASCAR is not the NBA, right?”

He pointed out that NASCAR’s legal and financial dynamics are entirely different from what Jordan faced in the NBA, and it’s having a ripple effect.

“I think it’s affecting their teams, the performance of their teams,” Harvick added. “How do you get sponsorship? How do you keep your drivers? How do you keep your employees?”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were denied a restraining order, which means they’ve had to compete as open entries since the race at Dover Motor Speedway.

The court trial is due in December, and Denny Hamlin has hinted at how things could be in their favor.

However, neither Tyler Reddick nor Bubba Wallace has secured a single win this season, and Kevin Harvick has raised an important point. Uncertainty about the lawsuit will inevitably affect the morale, business deals, and sponsorships. “Why do you even want to be in the middle of that until it’s over?” he asked. Ultimately, success comes from stability, not a lawsuit looming large.

But despite it all, Michael Jordan seems to be as committed as ever. “Everything that we’ve heard him say is he’s in it for the long haul,” Kevin Harvick said. But with the rising costs, losing charters, and potentially the antitrust lawsuit, will the NBA Hall of Famer’s dedication towards 23XI Racing withstand the storm? Time will tell.

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