While a dozen drivers remain in the hunt for the NASCAR Cup Series title, three are arguably the favorites heading into the Round of 12. And this trio — consisting of Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell — just happens to compete for the same organization, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
So why are Briscoe, Hamlin and Bell the drivers mostly likely to hoist the coveted championship trophy at Phoenix Raceway in early November?
A look back at the past three weekends provides a clear answer.
Joe Gibbs Racing Has Multiple Reasons For Championship Optimism
Entering the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12, Joe Gibbs Racing’s three playoff drivers — Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell — each find themselves in the top half of the remaining playoff field.
Of the dozen drivers still in championship contention after the Round of 16, Hamlin ranks first, Bell sits fourth and Briscoe holds the sixth seed.
But the momentum that JGR as an organization brings into the Round of 12 might be an even bigger source of optimism.
Briscoe (Darlington), Hamlin (Gateway) and Bell (Bristol) collectively swept the three races in the Round of 16, each punching an automatic ticket into the Round of 12. That means no other organization celebrated a win in the opening playoff round, which certainly had to be at least somewhat deflating for those groups.
BRISCOE WINS at Darlington! Congrats @chasebriscoe! 💪🏁🏆@JoeGibbsRacing @Toyota pic.twitter.com/ZyLhmKUCQt
— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops) September 1, 2025
Time will only tell, of course, just how much JGR making it a clean sweep of the first round will ultimately matter. If nothing else, though, it puts Briscoe, Hamlin and Bell in better positions heading into this round than the positions they held coming into the Round of 16.
So, How Confident Are The Powers That Be At Joe Gibbs Racing?
Although Joe Gibbs Racing appears to be hitting its stride at the perfect time, Denny Hamlin isn’t ready to make any bold predictions about the company’s championship odds.
Even if some NASCAR pundits are anointing the JGR drivers as championship favorites on the heels of such a stellar first round.
“I understand beating that drum,” Hamlin recently said on his weekly podcast. “But … I still think it’s anyone’s race. I just think the narrative could change very, very quickly. So, I would pump the brakes.”
Toyota is looking strong, but it’s not time to get comfortable… 👀
Hear @dennyhamlin’s thoughts on Actions Detrimental, out now! 🏁
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YouTube: https://t.co/psPEFUBdqY pic.twitter.com/2LKyvYyXC4— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 8, 2025
JGR teammate Christopher Bell, fresh off a win at Bristol, is considerably more bullish about where the organization currently stacks up.
“Certainly, we’re feeling good,” Bell said on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Joe Gibbs Racing has asserted themselves as the powerhouse team in the sport right now. So, we’re loving life. Absolutely. We know we’re in a good spot. And we’re just trying to keep the ball rolling.
“Certainly, we’re all super-happy and thrilled with how it’s going.”
Christopher Bell holds off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski to WIN at Bristol! pic.twitter.com/BXPbFNWroq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 14, 2025
NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs is likewise upbeat after such a spectacular Round of 16 performance from the company he founded in 1992.
“To have our other three cars winning in the first round, I think it just says a lot for the way we feel back at the race shop,” he said after Bell’s victory at Bristol. “It’s a big deal all the way across the board for us. It really means a lot.”
