Few voices in the NASCAR garage carry the weight of Denny Hamlin’s, a veteran who’s seen it all and isn’t shy about sharing his take on the sport’s twists. His latest comments on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s teenage sensation in Xfinity, Connor Zilisch, have folks talking, especially with the 17-year-old’s unstoppable form over the past two months. Zilisch has racked up nine wins this season, the latest at Gateway, putting him right on the heels of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010. Leading the playoffs by 59 points after clinching the regular-season title, he’s got the momentum that screams champion material.

That golden run has the paddock buzzing, but Hamlin’s perspective adds a layer of caution to the hype. Zilisch drives the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, where Earnhardt Jr. even

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