Denny Hamlin is scaring his fans as much as he’s giving them his title hopes. Locked into the Championship 4 with six wins this season, Hamlin charged hard in the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, holding second behind Ryan Blaney in the final stage. But then, out of nowhere, his No. 11 Toyota shut down abruptly from an engine failure around Lap 334, dropping him to 35th. Considering how he’s putting all that he’s got to chase that long-awaited title, such mechanical issues are really concerning for the No. 11.

Last week it was at Talladega, now this time at Martinsville. Hamlin’s crew pushed through a starter glitch in the qualifying session, only for the engine to go silent with no prior signs. Losing to a rival’s sharper move makes sense, but your own misstep? It leaves a deeper ache, especially for veterans like Steve Letarte who know the grind.

Steve Letarte’s raw take on Hamlin’s heartbreak

On the “NASCAR’s Inside the Race” podcast, hours after the Martinsville chaos, veteran crew chief Steve Letarte couldn’t hide his empathy for Hamlin. He’d watched the No. 11 fade from contention, just like Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota engine failure 39 laps earlier. A third Toyota, Riley Herbst’s No. 35, met the same fate, highlighting a rough day for the manufacturer in the Round of 8 finale.

Letarte, calling the broadcast, captured the raw frustration: “Even Denny, it’s not comical, but he’s like, you know, sometimes you laugh because you want to cry.” That forced smile hit hard for Letarte, a three-time Cup champion as crew chief with drivers like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

“He has to look Reddick and Bubba Wallace in the face when something goes wrong with those cars, and he knows, man, that’s all me as the owner,” said Letarte. Letarte realizes how Hamlin cares a lot about his ownership role, but yet here, with his own title dreams on the line, his fifth championship 4 appearance after near-misses has made him feel helpless, especially when it’s not coming down to his skill.

Hamlin echoed the gut punch post-race, his voice steady but edged with worry. “I’m obviously concerned (about the mechanical problems), but there’s obviously nothing I can do about it,” he told NBC Sports after the engine simply shut off with no prior warning as he eased into the corner. This marked his fourth DNF from engine trouble in 2025, despite a season of dominance including wins at Darlington, Michigan, Dover, St. Louis, and Las Vegas.

Teammate Briscoe‘s similar shutdown, “No indication. I was just running around there… went to upshift, and something happened. I’m not really sure; it’s unfortunate,” underscored the pattern, leaving Joe Gibbs Racing scrambling for Phoenix answers. For Hamlin, these failures amplify the “what ifs” in a career that’s everything but the crown.

That vulnerability sparked wider chatter on who thrives under pressure come championship time.

Wallace picks Hamlin over Byron

Former Cup driver Kenny Wallace, with 344 Cup starts and a broadcast staple, didn’t mince words on his picks for the final four. Hamlin’s Vegas triumph gave him his 60th win, tying him for 10th all-time NASCAR driver and sealing his Phoenix spot, outshining Byron’s steady but winless playoff push.

Wallace, eyeing the duo’s consistency, leaned in on social media: “My choice. @dennyhamlin vs @WilliamByron for the Championship Denny is my choice to win it all.” It’s a nod to Hamlin’s track record at intermediates like Phoenix, where he’s won twice, versus Byron‘s one win there in 15 starts and Hendrick’s strength but less high-stakes experience.

My choice. @dennyhamlin vs @WilliamByron for the Championship 🏁

Denny is my choice to win it all 🏁

— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) October 26, 2025

Wallace’s call carries weight from his ’90s-’00s runs, spotting Hamlin’s 17 playoff trips and 375 top-10s. Byron, the 2024 champ, swept Martinsville stages but trailed Hamlin’s six victories this year. Yet Wallace sees Hamlin’s fire—fueled by that Kansas clash with Wallace’s old team, Hendrick Motorsports. “Denny is my choice to win it all,” he doubled down, betting on the Virginian’s grit over Byron’s polish in the desert decider.