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Denny Hamlin labels ‘good dark horse’ Chris Buescher as a serious 2024 Cup Championship-4 contender

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 2/3/24

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series will kick off with the unofficial season opener this Sunday at LA Colosseum. The Cup grid hopes to get some much-important momentum by winning the 150-lap race in the 0.25-mile track. Ahead of the season-opener, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin has listed drivers who could win a championship this season.

The Next-Gen car has got a field closer together than ever before, with even the mid-field team having the means to win convincingly on their day. So, it’s the driver that would make the difference. One such talent Hamlin believes could make a difference alongside ten other drivers is RFK Racing’s No:17 Ford driver Chris Buescher.

Hamlin pointed out that Buescher was impressive in 2024 with his three-race win and consistency. He bested his 2012 Cup title-winning teammate, Brad Keselowski, easily in most races. Hamlin, who has always been an admirer of the Ford driver, sees the potential in him and argued that if Keselowski would be a threat in 2024, then surely Buescher is on the list as well.

I see that as a very popular, pre race, out on the limb, Championship 4 — Buescher makes the Championship 4. I think I need to see, did he get to the Round of 8? He did. He just wasn’t spectacular. He won three in a row right? I can see that as a good dark horse. Buescher, I’ve sang his praises for a very long time. …Sure, if you think Brad is a championship threat, how could you not consider Buescher? I’m talking myself into it right now. Hamlin said via the Action Detrimental podcast.

Who are the possible championship contenders of 2024?

The first name on the list was the reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney, who won this year and is peaking at the right moment. He then called Ross Chastain of Stackhouse Racing, his driver Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing, and Chris Buescher alongside him.

The other drivers on his list would be the active champions on the grid. Two-time Cup champions Kyle Busch and Joey Logano sit comfortably on the list, along with Hendrick Motorsports’ championship duo of Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott . Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. would be another strong contender.

Among the non-championship-winning drivers, one name stands out: Willaim Byron of HMS, who would’ve been the most deserving champion in 2023. Christopher Bell , the only driver to both final four races in the Next-Gen era, is a strong candidate.