Hamlin’s Hopes Turning Into A Certainty

Several weeks ago, several days before undergoing serious knee surgery, Denny Hamlin was talking optimistically but cautiously about the remainder of the season. His stance seemed hopeful in regards to merely making the Chase. He was looking ahead to being healthy and, if he indeed qualified for NASCAR’s “playoffs,” making a late-season charge for the championship.

So…Hamlin goes out and wins at Martinsville before the surgery … then win twice more post-surgery, at Texas and, this past Saturday, at Darlington. He’s sixth in points and tied with Jimmie Johnson for the most victories this season.

Which begs the question: How well will Hamlin do when he’s fully recovered?