# Toyota NASCAR Championship Problem

> Toyota's NASCAR driver championship struggles prompt Denny Hamlin to demand internal fixes.
- Title: Toyota NASCAR Championship Problem · Autoweek | Shortify
- Summary: Toyota's NASCAR driver championship struggles prompt Denny Hamlin to demand internal fixes.
- Keywords: nascar, toyota, denny hamlin, championship, driver title, manufacturer championship, nascar cup series, Autoweek
- Source: Autoweek — https://autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a74428536/toyota-nascar-championship-problem-denny-hamlin-wants-answers
- Author: Deb Williams
- Published: 2026-11-14T01:20:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nascar, toyota, denny hamlin, championship, driver title, manufacturer championship, nascar cup series, cars, sports
## Toyota's Championship Struggle
Toyota has won only three driver championships in 20 years despite claiming manufacturer titles in NASCAR Cup Series.

> The win ratio to championship ratio has just not been as good as it needs to be
## Denny Hamlin's Concern
Denny Hamlin says Toyota needs internal analysis to fix driver championship performance after winning 18 races this season.

> I think there needs to be a deep dive and honestly, figure out what needs to be changed
## Toyota's Recent Performance
Toyota won 18 races this season but lost the driver title to Kyle Larson, a Chevrolet competitor.

> We’ve won 18 races, thrilled that we won the manufacturers championship
## Toyota Racing Development
Toyota Racing Development President Tyler Gibbs says data shows Toyota's performance is improving after the Next Gen car transition.

> Let’s take the last 10 years, so, ’17, ’18, ’19 very, very strong
## Competitor Strategy
Toyota's competitors will take advantage of every weakness in the new generation of cars.

> Gibbs notes that Toyota’s competitors will "take advantage of every single weakness"
## Key takeaway

Toyota's NASCAR driver championships have been inconsistent despite winning manufacturer titles, with Denny Hamlin urging internal analysis to improve performance.