Unraveling the Mystery of Wood Brothers’ Sudden NASCAR Revival: Denny Hamlin’s Insightful Take

Within the high-octane world of NASCAR, alliances are a lifeline for smaller groups. They tether themselves to bigger gamers in a symbiotic relationship the place the smaller group advantages from the expertise, vehicles, and mental capital of the large leagues. In 2024, the dynamics of the grid skilled a seismic shift when Entrance Row Motorsports defected from RFK Racing to align with Staff Penske, becoming a member of the ranks of Wooden Brothers.

The impression of such alliances is twofold— they will both catapult a group to new heights or doom it to reside within the shadows of the powerhouse it’s linked to. The sudden ascension of the No. 21 automotive of Wooden Brothers, pushed by Josh Berry, has raised eyebrows within the racing neighborhood, together with these of Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing.

Since 2015, the Wooden Brothers group has been in cahoots with Penske, with the latter offering the automotive, crew, and expertise. Regardless of such an alliance, the No. 21 automotive has largely languished in the back of the pack, thought of extra of a testing floor for Penske’s stars fairly than competitors. Nevertheless, the narrative has altered dramatically in 2025. The automotive, now below the management of Josh Berry, has been displaying indicators of a revival, exhibiting efficiency ranges which are extra akin to a Staff Penske automotive than the perennial underperformer it has been prior to now.

On his podcast “Actions Detrimental,” Denny Hamlin shared his insights on the stunning turnaround of the No. 21 automotive. He questioned whether or not the advance could possibly be attributed to a change in technique by Staff Penske, maybe elevating the No. 21 automotive from a developmental automobile to a full-fledged competitor.

The performances of Josh Berry in his Ford Mustang have been a testomony to the transformation of the No. 21 automotive. In comparison with his Penske counterparts, Berry has already secured two top-5 finishes and a win this season, which is a stark distinction to the group’s observe file from 2018 to 2024. Throughout this era, the group managed just one win and 9 top-5 finishes.

Whereas Hamlin delves into the intricacies of those alliances, he has additionally skilled his share of triumphs and tribulations. A wildly profitable weekend in Vegas noticed him pocket over $200,000 in winnings. Nevertheless, his luck didn’t carry over to the racetrack, the place a pit highway rushing penalty relegated him to a disappointing twenty fifth place end.

Off the observe, Hamlin’s fortunes have been blended. After dropping his long-time sponsor FedEx, he’s probably getting ready to securing a brand new sponsor within the type of Progressive Insurance coverage. Regardless of the ups and downs, Hamlin’s ardour for the game stays undiminished, and his 21-year journey in NASCAR is way from over.

The rise of the No. 21 automotive and the shifting alliances in NASCAR is an intriguing storyline to observe. Whereas the sudden resurgence of the Wooden Brothers group might elevate questions, it additionally underscores the transformative energy of strategic alliances within the realm of motor racing. As observers, we sit up for the unfolding of those narratives, every race including a brand new chapter to the thrilling saga of NASCAR.