Denny Hamlin has advanced into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 12 for the 10th consecutive season – the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and the most recent winner (at Bristol, Tenn. last weekend) as the series begins this next three-race series to narrow the title contenders to eight.

Although his three wins, 11 top fives (including four runner-up showings) and 14 top 10s through the openings 25 races are impressive, there’s something different about the 19-year veteran in this year’s Playoff run. His take-no-prisoners maneuvers on track may have occasionally earned “boos” from crowds this year. But, Hamlin is absolutely feeling increasingly confident and optimistic about finally securing his first NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy.

Five times he’s finished third or better in the title run; his best showing a runner-up to seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in 2010. He’s finished fourth or better the last four seasons.

This, however, may just be “Hamlin’s year,” according to racing journalists, social media, his competitors. And Hamlin.

“I really do, but I also know sometimes things out of your control can happen,’’ Hamlin said of his title expectations. “You’ve got to understand that. I say that, so you don’t crash too far down when things don’t go your way and you don’t have the outcome you expect. But certainly based on the speed we show week-in and week-out, absolutely I believe we’re one of the best four teams out there that should compete for a championship at Phoenix.

“But you have to play the game. There’s a lot of work that has to be done between now and then and sometimes things are out of your control. But if they do stay in our control, I believe it’s a year that we would be tough to beat.’’

I don’t think there’s any reason of doubt to say that Hamlin is a for sure First Ballot Hall of Famer in this sport. 51 Cup Series wins in an era that’s growing more and more increasingly difficult to win, he’s still winning in bunches.

He’s won almost all the crown jewels now. He’s a 3-time Daytona 500 champion, as well as reaching victory lane 3 times in the Southern 500 and the Bristol Night Race. He’s also won the All-Star race once and the Coca-Cola 600. The only thing missing is an Indianapolis win and a championship.

Is this truly his year?

His 13 playoff wins rank 3rd best. Just Jimmie Johnson’s 29 trips to victory lane during the postseason and Harvick’s 16 rank higher.

Can he march back to the Championship 4 at Phoenix. He has 4 of them already, which is 4th best. The only ones ahead of him each have 5 (Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick).

Another trip puts him with them so long as they don’t make the final round too this November. However, among those 4 previous trips, he’s not taken home the championship in each. Is this his year to do so?

He’s made 3 Championship 4’s in the last four years. Last year he entered with the least amount of playoff points heading into the playoffs than the other 3 previously and he missed the final round by 1 measly point.

He’s trying to do his part to ensure that he doesn’t have to worry about it this year.

Hamlin dominated the Southern 500 in sweeping both stages and leading 177 laps along the way. He thought he had a loose wheel towards the end and had to endure an unscheduled pit stop. That dropped him to 25th. In Kansas, he had the race won (63 laps led) until the final caution sending the race to overtime. He finished second. Last week, he led 142 of 500 laps and won.

382 laps led in the opening round gives him over 14,000 for his career now.

“It’s our year,” Hamlin said after scoring his 51st career NASCAR Cup Series victory. “I just feel like we’ve got it all put together. We’ve got the speed every single type of racetrack. Nothing to stop us at this point.”

Yes, that’s in theory somewhat true. But, the Round of 12 tracks aren’t his best lately.

Yes, he’s a three-time Texas winner and has two runner-up finishes in his last three starts on intermediate tracks this season, but he also has just two Top-5 finishes in his last 10 Texas tries too. He is a great fantasy play with four Top-11 finishes in his last six there, but it’s just the lack of race winning contention that scares me here despite two straight Top-2 finishes on the season.

Then it’s to Talladega to where Hamlin can win at any given time on a superspeedway, but has just one top 10 in his last 10 superspeedway starts give me reason to pause too. However, six Top-7 finishes in his last 10 Talladega tries also gives me optimism. He has seven straight top seven’s in the Fall race too. Hamlin has scored just the 12th most points on superspeedway’s this season though with finishes of 17th, sixth, 17th, 14th, 26th which is could also put him in a peril position heading to the ROVAL.

There, he’s finished 12th, 19th, 15th, fifth and 13th. On the season on road courses, he’s came home 16th, 36th, 11th, 19th, and second. Last year, he was 18th, 31st, 17th, 14th, 20th and 13th.