Denny Hamlin, a leading contender in the current NASCAR season, suffered a heartbreaking setback during the Kansas race when a late pit stop mishap ended his hopes of clinching victory. Despite dominating most of the event at the Kansas track, Hamlin’s campaign was hindered by a series of technical issues and a costly stop, intensifying his ongoing struggles with Kansas race issues.
Hamlin’s Race: Early Domination and Building Tension
Hamlin entered the Kansas event with momentum, starting from the front row just behind fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe. Demonstrating why he was considered a frontrunner, Hamlin sped to the top, leading the field with confidence as he captured both stage one and stage two. His car appeared untouchable, and he looked poised for a resounding win—until mechanical fiascos started mounting in the final half of the race.
As the laps ticked down, Hamlin reported to his crew over the radio about a sticking throttle, the first sign that difficulty lay ahead. The concern deepened as Hamlin later described uncertainty about his car’s steering: he noted that turning right caused unnerving sounds and that he felt paranoid something vital might break. Crew chief Chris Gayle urged him over communication to maintain composure and focus on delivering the strongest finish possible, knowing the implications for potential advancement in the championship chase.
Critical Pit Error and the Losing of Lead
Trouble truly came to the fore in the waning moments. As Hamlin continued to manage the race lead despite a reported loss of power steering, his team opted for a quick two-tire pit stop with 12 laps remaining—a calculated gamble to retain the front position. The plan, however, faltered badly when his jackman failed on the first attempt to lift the car, leaving the tire changers waiting and time slipping away. On the second try, the jack was secured and the tow tires were replaced, but by then, a nine-second stop had cost Hamlin valuable track position and dropped him to sixth for the restart.
“The lead slips away from Denny Hamlin after late race issues.
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/IwfSxRRKAI
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 28, 2025”
Battling both mechanical handicaps and frustration, Hamlin refused to yield. The final restart saw him and his Toyota counterparts—Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell—fighting hard among the leading pack. Hamlin managed to reclaim the inside line, surging back toward the front just as chaos erupted with Wallace, causing further disruption.
Final Laps: Heartbreak in the Closing Moments
Despite dogged determination, Hamlin’s lack of power steering made the final turns treacherous. Tangling with Bubba Wallace in the last corners, he pushed Wallace into the wall, which allowed Chase Elliott to seize the moment and snake through for the win. After 159 laps led and an otherwise commanding performance, Hamlin finished as runner-up—a result no driver relishes when victory felt so certain and well-earned.
Beyond the immediate letdown, the race carried broader implications. A win at Kansas would have cemented Hamlin’s place in the championship’s round of eight, putting him within striking distance of fulfilling his title ambitions. Though sitting +48 points above the elimination cut heading into Charlotte Roval, and all but assured to advance, missing out on this 60th career victory denied him entry into the historic top-10 list for all-time NASCAR wins, a milestone within his grasp.
Emotional Reaction from Hamlin After the Race
Still grappling with the disappointment after the race, Hamlin expressed how much the missed win stung both professionally and personally, referencing the opportunity to reach 60 victories—a mark with added meaning for him and those close to him. In his own words:
“Just super disappointing. I wanted it bad. It would have been 60 (wins) for me…just disappointing because I don’t think I’ve ever had a car that good to the competition. Man, I wanted it for my dad. I wanted it for everybody. Just wanted it a little too hard.” — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Looking Ahead: What Kansas Means for Hamlin’s Legacy
In spite of this Kansas disappointment, Hamlin remains well positioned as the playoffs head to Charlotte Roval and the critical eliminator round. With a comfortable buffer, the pursuit of his elusive 60th triumph—and the chance to eclipse active drivers like Kyle Busch, who has 63 wins—drives Hamlin forward. The remaining races offer new opportunities to achieve the records and legacy that have slipped narrowly from his grasp at Kansas, meaning Hamlin’s pursuit is far from over for both his fans and NASCAR history.
Denny Hamlin says if he tries to swerve to the right, it goes "click, click" and he's "fucking paranoid" something is going ot break
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 28, 2025
Denny Hamlin: "I don't have power steering."
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 28, 2025
The lead slips away from Denny Hamlin after late race issues.
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/IwfSxRRKAI
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 28, 2025
