Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Bold Championship Prediction: William Byron Over Denny Hamlin

The playoffs bring out the best prognosticators in NASCAR, and nobody knows championship racing quite like Dale Earnhardt Jr. During his latest podcast appearance, Junior dropped some profound knowledge about who he thinks will be hoisting that trophy come Phoenix in November.

You can feel the excitement building as we head deeper into these playoffs. After watching that wild Southern 500 unfold at Darlington, Junior took a hard look at the remaining 16 drivers and made some calls that might surprise you. His final four predictions? Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney.

But here’s where it gets interesting. When it comes to picking the actual champion, Dale Earnhardt Jr. went with his gut and chose William Byron over the veteran Denny Hamlin.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sees Something Special in William Byron

“I feel like as much as I want to think that Blaney wins the championship between those four at Phoenix, I just feel like Byron does. I don’t know why,” Earnhardt admitted during the podcast—that kind of honest assessment from someone who’s been there and done that carries serious weight.

William Byron has been quietly building something special at Hendrick Motorsports. The Liberty University product doesn’t always grab the headlines like some of his teammates. Still, he has developed into the kind of steady, consistent driver who can capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves.

What makes Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s prediction even more compelling is his acknowledgment that he doesn’t have a concrete reason for picking Byron. Sometimes in racing, you feel it in your bones. That instinct comes from years of understanding what it takes to win when everything’s on the line.

The 2021 Daytona 500 winner has shown flashes of championship-caliber performance throughout his career. Those moments where Byron elevates his game beyond what the numbers suggest are possible. That’s precisely the kind of intangible quality that separates champions from very good drivers.

Gateway Creates Pressure Points for Playoff Contenders

Looking ahead to this weekend’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear that several drivers are walking a tightrope. Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry currently sit below the cutline, but Junior doesn’t see any of them in “big trouble” just yet.

That assessment shows real understanding of playoff racing dynamics. One good run can completely flip the narrative for drivers fighting to advance. Gateway has a way of shuffling the deck, and Junior knows that better than most after watching countless playoff battles unfold over the years.

The concrete surface at Gateway rewards precision driving and smart strategy. It’s the kind of track where experience matters, but raw speed can overcome almost anything. For drivers like Bowman and Berry, Junior emphasized that they simply cannot afford a bad day if they want to advance to the Round of 12.

Austin Cindric presents an interesting case study heading into Gateway. As last year’s winner there, you’d expect him to have confidence and speed. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out something many fans have noticed – Cindric’s inconsistency. “He shows up sometimes and runs 12th and at other times, runs 28th,” Junior observed.

The Championship Picture Takes Shape

What makes Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s championship prediction so fascinating is how he balances his heart against his head. His initial instinct was to pick Ryan Blaney, the defending champion who knows precisely what it takes to win it all. But something about William Byron’s trajectory made him change course.

Blaney brings that championship experience that money can’t buy. He’s been through the pressure cooker of a title fight and emerged victorious. That mental edge becomes crucial when you’re running for everything at Phoenix with three other desperate competitors. But Byron represents something different as the hungry contender who’s been knocking on the door for years. Sometimes that desperation and desire can overcome experience when it matters most.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. seems to sense that Byron’s time might be now. The Hendrick Motorsports connection adds another layer to this prediction. Junior spent years competing against HMS teams and understands their organizational strength. When they hit their stride, they become incredibly difficult to beat over a sustained period.

Denny Hamlin’s Championship Window Remains Open

Including Denny Hamlin in his final four shows that Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t written off the veteran’s championship hopes. At 43 years old, Hamlin continues defying Father Time while competing at an elite level. His three Daytona 500 victories and numerous Cup Series wins demonstrate that he knows how to perform when the stakes are highest.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver hasn’t reached the final four since 2021, making this season feel like a crucial opportunity. Time isn’t necessarily running out for Hamlin, but championship windows don’t stay open forever in NASCAR’s current competitive landscape. What works in Hamlin’s favor is his racecraft intelligence.

He makes fewer mistakes than most drivers and consistently finds ways to maximize his equipment’s potential. Those qualities become magnified during playoff racing when margins for error shrink dramatically. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s respect for Hamlin is evident in his selection of the final four. Despite ultimately picking Byron for the championship, including Hamlin demonstrates recognition of his continued elite-level performance.

Chase Briscoe Brings Wild Card Energy to Championship Fight

Perhaps the most intriguing pick in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final four is Chase Briscoe. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver has found new life in his current situation, scoring that emotional Southern 500 victory to punch his playoff ticket. Briscoe represents the kind of momentum-driven storyline that can carry teams through entire playoff runs.

When drivers find that sweet spot where everything clicks, they become dangerous regardless of their regular-season statistics. The Indiana native’s two wins this season show he can deliver when pressure mounts. That clutch gene becomes invaluable during playoff racing, where a single moment can define an entire season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. clearly sees something in Briscoe’s current trajectory that makes him a legitimate championship threat.

The Human Element That Makes Championships Special

What comes through strongest in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s championship predictions is his understanding of the human element involved. Statistics and data points only tell part of the story when it comes to determining who hoists that trophy in Phoenix. Byron’s quiet determination, Hamlin’s veteran savvy, Blaney’s championship experience, and Briscoe’s momentum. These intangible qualities often matter more than qualifying speeds or practice times when everything’s on the line.

Junior’s honest admission about not having concrete reasons for picking Byron over Blaney shows genuine authenticity. Sometimes in racing, you feel it. That instinct comes from understanding what separates good from great when the lights shine brightest. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship race promises to deliver drama worthy of the sport’s rich history. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. backing William Byron to capture his first title, we’ll soon see if Junior’s championship instincts remain as sharp as ever.