Denny Hamlin Las Vegas pole victory marked a major turnaround for both the driver and Joe Gibbs Racing, as Hamlin captured the coveted top starting spot at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Achieving this result at the 1.5-mile oval on Saturday signaled a significant break in Hamlin’s historical challenges at the venue, as he led his team in a passionate and determined effort ahead of the Cup Series race.
Hamlin Breaks Through With First Pole at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin spearheaded a strong Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) performance by securing the Busch Light Pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, highlighting a shift in fortunes at the notorious high-banked oval. Heading into the qualifying session, Hamlin had not historically been the fastest on practice day, staying solidly in the top five throughout Saturday afternoon but leaving no indication he would dominate qualifying.
During the critical laps, Hamlin powered the No.11 car to a best time of 29.213 seconds at 184.849 mph. This remarkable lap not only earned him his first career pole in Las Vegas across 27 attempts but also continued JGR’s recent trend of locking out top spots, with teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell close behind to round out the top three—mirroring a strong team performance earlier in the season at Indianapolis.
Reflecting on his historic pole and his relationship with the Las Vegas track, Hamlin commented:
“I felt good about it. There wasn’t a whole lot left out there for it, but great job to get my car good. It was good in the short run practice as well, but we gotta work on it in the long run for tomorrow. Saturday has really been our Achilles heel at this race track, and that’s a great way to turn that around.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin’s journey to this milestone has been filled with ups and downs—across 27 prior starts at Las Vegas, he had never clinched the pole. Known for his determination, the 44-year-old has averaged a 14.1 finish in the Next Gen Era at the venue, with his career highlight being a victory in September 2021. Last season, Hamlin struggled, starting 15th and finishing a disappointing 25th.
Hamlin’s Impact Resonates Beyond Qualifying
Hamlin’s resilience has not only benefited himself but impacted the fortunes of fellow racers, particularly in high-stakes playoff situations. During the playoff elimination race at Charlotte Roval the previous week, Hamlin played a pivotal role as Joey Logano fought to keep his title aspirations alive in a tense showdown involving Ross Chastain.
The battle reached its peak in the final laps, with Hamlin’s placement becoming the deciding factor as Logano and Chastain raced to secure the final playoff spot. Had Chastain overtaken Hamlin, Logano’s quest would have ended. Instead, a dramatic final-lap exchange between Hamlin and Chastain paved the way for Logano to advance, ultimately eliminating Trackhouse Racing’s contender.
In a conversation on the impact Hamlin’s presence had on his own playoff hopes, Logano expressed gratitude and humor:
“I mean, I think I need to start looking for good Christmas gifts for the guy. I mean, I think I should put him on the list… But yeah, just I mean, that was a difference maker, right? I mean, honestly, our faith fate was in Denny Hamlin’s hands, right? if he chose not to pass the one, we’re out.”
– Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Despite being taken out in a late incident with Chastain and finishing 23rd, Hamlin’s consistency kept him atop the playoff standings, giving him a narrow two-point lead over Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney heading into the crucial Round of 8. Hot on their heels are Kyle Larson and William Byron, while Logano faces a decisive challenge, sitting 24 points below the cutline and needing a win to keep his championship number hopes alive.
What Hamlin’s Breakthrough Means for the Playoffs
Denny Hamlin’s pole-winning performance has rejuvenated both the driver and his supporters at a pivotal stage of the NASCAR playoffs. Momentum from Las Vegas could shift the balance in the championship, particularly for Joe Gibbs Racing and drivers like Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, who benefit from a united team effort on fast tracks. The fierce intensity and emotions surrounding recent races capture what’s at stake as competitors like Joey Logano fight for survival in the playoffs.
With Hamlin now demonstrating his capability at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the rest of the field must contend with a championship contender in peak qualifying form. The outcome of this round could have far-reaching effects on the NASCAR Cup Series as drivers look to capitalize on every opportunity, from start to finish line, at one of the season’s most decisive tracks.
