The Chase Briscoe Las Vegas race at the 2025 playoff Round of 8 opener turned into a showcase for veteran Denny Hamlin, who delivered a masterful drive at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the closing laps, Hamlin capitalized on a fresh tire advantage, surging past both Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe to claim his milestone 60th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, marking a pivotal moment in the current championship battle.
Hamlin’s commanding performance marked his sixth win of the season and secured his first-ever appearance in the Championship 4 of the Next-Gen era. For Hamlin, this is widely considered his strongest opportunity yet to pursue the Bill France Cup, a point highlighted by NASCAR legend Richard Petty. The high-intensity finish not only amplified the stakes for Hamlin but also left a mark on fans and competitors, including Briscoe, who had initially established a commanding lead before Hamlin’s late-race charge.
Colleagues Praise Hamlin’s Determination and Skill
Throughout the fallout from the race, admiration poured in for Hamlin’s tactical driving and composure under pressure. During the post-race analysis on the Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick’s co-host, Mamba Smith, commended the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran for both his strategic prowess and consistency, calling him a potential Hall of Famer.
Denny hasn’t been to the Championship 4 in a while, so having a shot at a championship is huge for that group. We’ve said it before — he’s a walking Hall of Famer. The driver that he is, what he can do with a race car, and the way he puts people in compromising situations — it’s incredible.
Mamba Smith, Happy Hour podcast
Hamlin’s decisive move against Kyle Larson—renowned for his defensive driving—stood out as a defining moment. Larson, piloting the No. 5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports, was praised for his resilience, but Hamlin’s lane changes and pace eventually broke through. As Hamlin advanced past both Larson and Briscoe, Briscoe’s early race gap diminished, revealing his vulnerability to Hamlin’s surge.
Even when he was racing with [Kyle] Larson, you could see Kyle making some of the same moves, just maybe not quite as close, still giving him a lane. Denny took the top, ran down the 19, and once he did, Chase [Briscoe] was a sitting duck. It was like, ‘Okay, let’s go ahead.’
Mamba Smith, Happy Hour podcast
Harvick Sees a Resolute Hamlin Approaching the Championship
2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick echoed these sentiments on the same podcast, reflecting on how Hamlin’s win drew parallels with his own race-winning legacy at Las Vegas. For Harvick, the emotional resonance of Hamlin’s 60th career triumph was clear, particularly in light of personal and professional pressures that have weighed on Hamlin this season.
That 11 was on rails at the end. The driver of the 11 is very determined right now with everything he’s doing. There was a lot of emotion after the race with everything going on in Denny’s life. You saw how important it was to get that 60th win.
Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Beyond the racetrack, Hamlin has contended with significant challenges, including his father’s illness and ongoing litigation involving his 23XI Racing team and NASCAR. The heightened pressure of contending for his first Cup championship has only added to the intensity surrounding his playoff campaign. Harvick highlighted how all of these factors have contributed to a sense of urgency within Hamlin’s team.
His dad’s been ill, he’s got the lawsuit going on, you’ve got all the pressure of the championship — and you could just see all of it hit him at once. But those guys are on a mission right now for sure.
Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
What the Victory Means for Championship Hopes
This Las Vegas result further cements Hamlin’s reputation as one of the top drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially with the current momentum heading into the season’s final rounds. The support from established names such as Richard Petty, combined with endorsements from Mamba Smith and Kevin Harvick, underscores expectations that Hamlin is favored for the championship. For Chase Briscoe, the race highlighted both his early strength and the challenge of maintaining dominance in the face of determined competition like Hamlin.
Looking forward, the next four races will determine whether Hamlin can translate this momentum into his long-awaited first Cup championship. With intense competition and personal stakes at their highest, the Chase Briscoe Las Vegas race may be remembered as the turning point that set the veteran on a potential championship path.
