Denny Hamlin has become the front-runner in the Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship odds after clinching victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Round of 8 opener this past Sunday, positioning himself as a major contender in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. The No. 11 Toyota driver now leads the betting odds for the championship, as FanDuel Sportsbook labels Hamlin and his team as favorites heading into the critical stage of the playoffs.
Hamlin Secures Key Win in Las Vegas, Leads Odds for First Title
Hamlin’s triumph in Las Vegas not only guaranteed him his inaugural trip to the Championship 4 in the Next Gen era but also boosted his prospects for capturing his first NASCAR drivers’ championship. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 11 Toyota team is now favored at +270 odds to claim the title, reflecting a marked shift in the postseason landscape with the championship race looming on November 2.
After the win, Hamlin described the psychological lift the victory provided:
It’s days like today that are, like, huge confidence boost,
— Denny Hamlin, Driver. He added,
Yeah, it’s a chest-out moment that you get.
— Denny Hamlin, Driver. Hamlin’s breakaway performance in the final laps cemented his status among the season’s top drivers.
Implications for Other Contenders After Las Vegas
The events unfolding at Las Vegas Motor Speedway affected the championship hopes of several leading drivers. William Byron, piloting a dominant car for Hendrick Motorsports, led for 55 laps before his race was derailed by a late collision with Ty Dillon, relegating him to fifth in the playoff standings. Byron’s teammate, Chase Elliott, encountered a setback with a mid-race speeding penalty, dropping him to sixth in the standings and 23 points below the elimination line, despite previous success at upcoming venue Talladega Superspeedway — where he’s won in both 2019 and 2022.
Ryan Blaney’s championship pursuit also took a major hit following a crash on Lap 70, which resulted in a last-place finish and saw him fall from second to eighth in the standings, now 31 points beneath the elimination marker.
Reflecting on his race strategy at Las Vegas, Hamlin’s high-pressure push in the last portion of the event was spotlighted when post-race coverage showed his onboard view as he surged from sixth to first on the final restart.
Denny Hamlin said after his Las Vegas win that he just put the pedal down in the last 10+ laps and made it happen. This is what his run from sixth on the final restart to first at the finish looked like from his onboard.
Special delivery for @TravisRockhold and the Denny Bros pic.twitter.com/oszcxgI2LS
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 13, 2025
— Steven Taranto, Reporter.
Justin Haley to Leave Spire Motorsports After 2025 Season
In other NASCAR news, Spire Motorsports announced their decision to part ways with driver Justin Haley following the conclusion of the 2025 Cup Series season. Haley’s tenure with Spire included notable achievements, such as claiming the 2016 ARCA Menards Series East championship and securing Spire’s first Cup Series victory at Daytona.
Haley has frequently been associated with the No. 7 Chevrolet since the organization’s launch, amassing one top-five finish and a pair of top-10s in 33 starts. The team emphasized the difficulty and significance of the decision to separate from a long-standing driver. Spire’s co-owner Jeff Dickerson stated,
This is a decision that was not taken lightly,
— Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports Co-owner. He continued,
Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager. Justin is the embodiment of a true racer.
— Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports Co-owner.
Details about Haley’s next steps or who will replace him on the No. 7 team have yet to be disclosed. Official statements were shared through team press releases and NASCAR communications.
NEWS: @SpireMotorsport announces the team has agreed with @Justin_Haley_ to part ways following the 2025 Cup Series season. pic.twitter.com/4yR0tasOmx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 14, 2025
— NASCAR, Organization.
Breakdown of 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Title Contenders
Following Hamlin’s pivotal win, the odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship have been updated by FanDuel Sportsbook, positioning him as the top contender. Other leading drivers such as William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney remain in the hunt, but their recent misfortunes have affected their standings and title chances. The potential for a shakeup remains with critical races ahead, including the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
*Odds referenced were current at the time of publication and are subject to change as the playoff rounds progress. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the pursuit of the championship intensifies in the coming weeks.
Denny Hamlin said after his Las Vegas win that he just put the pedal down in the last 10+ laps and made it happen. This is what his run from sixth on the final restart to first at the finish looked like from his onboard.
Special delivery for @TravisRockhold and the Denny Bros pic.twitter.com/oszcxgI2LS
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 13, 2025
NEWS: @SpireMotorsport announces the team has agreed with @Justin_Haley_ to part ways following the 2025 Cup Series season. pic.twitter.com/4yR0tasOmx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 14, 2025
