Denny Hamlin’s Las Vegas win at the Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 opener locked in his place for the Championship 4, held Sunday evening at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Toyota secured victory thanks to a strategic use of four fresh tires, cementing Hamlin’s shot at the Phoenix Raceway event on November 2 and highlighting his strong season campaign.
Hamlin Claims Sixth Victory of the Season
This race marked Hamlin’s sixth win in the 2025 season and his 60th career Cup Series victory. Starting from pole position, Hamlin led nine laps and ultimately held off Kyle Larson by 1.533 seconds to clinch the win in Sin City. This result guarantees his team a spot in the coveted Championship 4, providing Joe Gibbs Racing with a boost heading into the final stretch of the playoffs.
Top Finishers and Key Performers
Kyle Larson finished second behind Hamlin, while Christopher Bell crossed in third. Chase Briscoe claimed fourth, and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top five. Notably, Joey Logano placed in the top ten alongside Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski, underscoring the competitive field at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Race Incidents Impact Postseason Contenders
A number of postseason drivers were unable to finish the race. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion driving for Team Penske and Ford, suffered a setback on Lap 72, leaving him in 38th place after a significant tire issue caused heavy car damage. Another incident involved William Byron, whose Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was heavily damaged on Lap 236 after contact with Ty Dillon and the Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, leading Byron to finish 36th.
Playoffs Continue at Talladega
The Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 will proceed next Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Race fans can tune in at 2 p.m. Eastern on NBC, Peacock, Max, MRN Radio, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to continue following the chase for the championship.
Hamlin’s Las Vegas win not only advances him in the playoffs but also signals momentum for Joe Gibbs Racing as the season nears its conclusion.
