Denny Hamlin delivered a remarkable performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, surpassing Kyle Larson in a decisive move during the pivotal Round of 8 playoff opener. The intense moments between Hamlin and Larson added another chapter to their ongoing rivalry, with the outcome significantly impacting the path to the NASCAR Championship 4 and highlighting the excitement of the Kyle Larson Las Vegas race.
Hamlin’s Rapid Charge in the Playoff Spotlight
Hamlin and Larson, well known for their fierce competition on the track, faced off once again at Las Vegas, vying for a chance to unseat Chase Briscoe and seize victory as the playoffs heated up. Unlike their usual struggles wheel-to-wheel, Hamlin enjoyed a substantial speed advantage in his No. 11 Toyota. During a post-race podcast, Hamlin shared insight into the thrilling duel:
“It was just a chess game out there,”
Hamlin said on Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast.
“You’re always trying to guess where the car in front of you is going to go, guess right. When you guess right like I did when I was catching Larson and Briscoe, when you have a car as fast as mine was, it always makes it look like you’re running nitro speed. I couldn’t believe it, especially versus Larson. The corner speed I had versus Larson was a big, big difference. I think Kyle mentioned it in his interview afterwards that like, ‘I ran the top with about five to go because I thought I was far enough ahead of him entering [Turn] 3 that he might get down there, but I’m gonna clear him on the exit.’”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
As Hamlin reeled in Larson, he was able to maneuver his Toyota with considerable agility, taking advantage of the bottom groove to build momentum and execute the pass.
“I just made up so much time running the bottom that I was able to get beside him, go into Turn 1, drive in hard, clear him, and at that point, as I’m clearing Larson and kind of blowing the corner, I still gained on Chase. Like, I could see that I’m just way faster than he is. I think it was a half a lap later I went around him.”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Larson Responds to the Showdown
Kyle Larson, a strong contender throughout the Kyle Larson Las Vegas race, demonstrated the speed needed to win but ultimately couldn’t fend off Hamlin’s decisive move in the closing laps. After the race, Larson acknowledged the standout performance from his rival:
“I thought I had a big enough gap down the backstretch to go to the top, get momentum. His car, the Toyotas in general, were really, really, really fast on a short run, had a lot of speed. He must have nailed the bottom behind me, got inside. It was over from there,”
Larson said.
“Yeah, he did an awesome job. He got up on the wheel there. I felt like I was up on the wheel. He did a really good job. I tried to take his line away in three and four. He got to my outside. Rarely do you see Denny do that. He did a great job. Hats off to them.”
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Despite Larson’s efforts and the capability of his car, Hamlin’s velocity on short runs and tactical execution proved unbeatable in this round, sending him past both Larson and Briscoe and ultimately securing the checkered flag.
A Historic Victory and What Lies Ahead
The Las Vegas win marked Hamlin’s 60th career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series, a feat that also clinched his place in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. The result sends a clear message to competitors like Chase Briscoe and signals Hamlin’s readiness for the title showdown. Larson, meanwhile, remains in strong contention, but the outcome in Las Vegas emphasizes the slim margins and strategy that define playoff racing at this elite level.
As the playoff rounds continue, drivers such as Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe are expected to deliver even more intense battles, keeping fans and teams focused on the rapidly approaching championship finale. The Las Vegas race showcased not only the rivalry between Hamlin and Larson but also the role of team strategy and execution in a season where every second counts.
