Denny Hamlin, 44, was three laps away from successful his first NASCAR Cup Collection championship after having the dominant automobile all day.
Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace describe working with Michael Jordan at 23XI Racing
USA TODAY Sports activities’ Josh Peter speaks with NASCAR drivers Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace about partnerning with Michael Jordan at 23XI Racing.
Sports activities Critically
Denny Hamlin may see the end line; solely three laps remained from lastly, FINALLY realizing his championship desires.
After which, within the blink of a watch, the whole lot modified.
After 20 full-time seasons and 60 race wins, Hamlin was moments away from his first title, holding almost a 3-second lead over his closest pursuer within the 2025 NASCAR Cup Collection Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. After which a warning flag flew.
Fellow championship contender William Byron slammed into the Flip 4 wall when his proper entrance tire went down, bringing out the yellow and sending almost each automobile to pit street for contemporary tires with Hamlin main the sector.
Hamlin’s crew modified all 4 tires on his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, however fellow Championship 4 driver Kyle Larson took simply two tires on his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and that made all of the distinction. Due to the sooner pit cease, Larson restarted fifth and Hamlin tenth.
With only a two-lap extra time shootout going through the drivers, these positions mattered so much. So did the Championship Race format, the place a title may very well be secured with out successful the race, simply ending higher than the opposite three closing 4 drivers.
Ultimately, Larson didn’t win the race – that honor went to 2023 NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney – however he did sufficient to carry off Hamlin, who had the dominant automobile all through the 319-lap season finale.
It was a crushing blow to Hamlin, a future Corridor of Famer, who stays the “Finest Driver to By no means Win a Championship.”
“Simply numb,” Hamlin stated after the race. “I really feel like there’s nonetheless some racing left. I can’t imagine it’s over however there’s nothing I can do. Suck it up and it’s simply one other 12 months.”
However this 12 months might have been the 44-year-old’s greatest alternative of his lengthy, illustrious profession. His 60 profession wins rank tenth on NASCAR’s all-time listing. He led the Cup Collection with sixth wins 2025. He began on the pole Sunday. He had the quickest automobile all day – not simply among the many Championship 4 drivers however the complete discipline.
“Nothing I can do totally different. Ready pretty much as good as I may coming into the weekend,” a clearly upset Hamlin stated. “My staff gave me a improbable automobile. Simply did not work out. I used to be simply praying that no warning. Had one there. What are you able to do? Simply not meant to be.
“We took 4 tires. I assumed that undoubtedly was the correct name. Simply so many automobiles took two there. Clearly put us again. Staff did a improbable job. They ready a championship automobile. Simply did not occur.”
Hamlin entered the championship race because the sentimental favourite, regardless of often leaning right into a “villain” function as he embraced the boos from some followers all through the season. The boos may very well be heard throughout driver introductions Sunday however so may the cheers because the followers on the Avondale, Arizona, racetrack understood that Hamlin may lastly seize the one merchandise lacking from his distinguished résumé.
And now Hamlin, his staff, and NASCAR followers can be left to ponder if Hamlin will get one other probability to win a championship.
“I will strive,” Hamlin stated when he requested if he may do that once more. “I bought a pair extra photographs at it. Man, if you cannot win that one, I do not know which one you may win.”
