Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship pursuit takes center stage at Phoenix Raceway, where the veteran driver arrives as the sentimental favorite to claim his first Cup title. This year’s race holds particular significance, as Hamlin’s father, Dennis, is gravely ill and unable to attend, adding intense personal stakes to Hamlin’s already storied yet championship-elusive career.
Hamlin’s journey to this crucial moment began with immense family sacrifice. Decades ago, Dennis Hamlin risked financial ruin by taking out several mortgages and exhausting credit to support his son’s racing dream, a gamble that eventually saw Denny rise through the ranks and claim 60 Cup wins, including three Daytona 500s. At 44 years old, the only accolade missing from his resume is a NASCAR championship, an achievement that has thus far remained out of reach despite multiple near misses.
A Family’s Sacrifice Fuels Hamlin’s Determination
Even as Hamlin approaches what might be his last, best shot at a Cup title, his thoughts are with his father, whose illness prevents him from being present in Arizona. Hamlin openly acknowledges the emotional gravity of the moment:
“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,”
Hamlin told The Associated Press. Dennis Hamlin, 75, is in declining health, further intensifying the pressure and determination fueling his son.
Past heartbreaks in championship chases shaped Hamlin’s outlook. Instead of dwelling on previous near-victories, Hamlin set his sights on reaching 60 career wins, a milestone he achieved with a dramatic victory at Las Vegas in September, which simultaneously earned him a spot among the championship contenders. That day, unable to contain his emotion, he reflected not only on reaching a significant personal goal but also on the family’s sacrifices across decades.
Though Hamlin hoped to celebrate this milestone win in North Carolina alongside his father, Dennis remained unable to travel. Hamlin has cherished every chance to reminisce with his father, who has filled his garage with memorabilia marking his son’s career highs. Hamlin shared,
“He was just so happy and he always tells me I’m the best, no matter if I win or not, he always says I’m the best,”
and added,
“He’s a big hype guy and I sat in his garage and talked with him, he’s got all my old memorabilia and it’s just good to reminisce. He’s a reminiscent guy and right now I am just cherishing those hours that I have with them each week.”
The Drivers and Teams in Sunday’s Showdown
At Phoenix Raceway, Hamlin faces stiff competition from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe and Hendrick Motorsports’ accomplished lineup: Kyle Larson, the only former champion in the field, and William Byron, making his third consecutive championship appearance. Briscoe, meanwhile, is in his first title race under Gibbs’ banner, adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
Whoever finishes highest among these four will secure the championship, setting up a tense battle not only between drivers but also manufacturers, as Toyota and Chevrolet’s storied rivalry takes center stage. Hamlin’s relationship with Larson is marked by mutual respect, and Larson spoke candidly about the personal stakes for Hamlin:
“He’s a deserving champion and nearing the end of his career, so if I couldn’t win, I’d love to see him because you’d think he’d have one on his resume. He deserves it,”
Larson told the AP.
“I could see how (his dad) absolutely gives extra motivation, and I think sympathy goes a long way. It’s not going to stop me from wanting to beat him, but there’s a lot of reasons a Denny Hamlin championship would feel good.”
On the wider impact of a potential Hamlin win, Larson added:
“I truly think everybody in the sport would be happy, probably even the folks at NASCAR.”
Behind the Scenes: Team Dynamics, Lawsuits, and Career Crossroads
While Hamlin races for Joe Gibbs, he’s also co-owner of 23XI Racing with NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Together, they rejected unfavorable new charter terms after two years of controversial negotiations, joining Front Row Racing in refusing to sign. Instead of acquiescing, they brought a lawsuit against NASCAR, escalating tensions within the sport as mediation efforts continued to stall.
Despite the friction off the track, Hamlin notes he receives fair treatment from NASCAR leadership. NASCAR chairman Jim France reportedly greets him respectfully at court proceedings, and Hamlin doesn’t anticipate gamesmanship impacting his title shot. However, Hamlin recognizes his own patterns of late-season heartbreaks; past attempts at the Cup have ended in mishaps, from spins in 2010 and pit errors in 2014 to strategic and mechanical setbacks in more recent years.
This season marks Hamlin’s return to the championship four after a four-year absence. He enters with a series-leading six wins, competing in top form alongside new crew chief Chris Gayle. The pairing was the result of an offseason reshuffling at Joe Gibbs Racing, which assigned Gayle to Hamlin’s No. 11 car after moving Chris Gabehart—credited with maximizing Hamlin’s late-career performance—into management. Initially skeptical and frustrated by the change, Hamlin has since grown to appreciate Gayle’s approach, acknowledging regret for his early doubts and embracing trust in the evolving leadership dynamic.
Symbolic Gestures and Hopes for Victory
If Hamlin finally captures the elusive Cup title, he envisions a poignant homecoming, sitting once again in the family garage with his father, this time able to savor the victory they both have long desired. Michael Jordan added a unique incentive in 2024, gifting Dennis Hamlin a glass-encased autographed cigar to be broken and smoked only in celebration of a championship victory. The story, featured in an episode of Netflix’s ‘NASCAR: Full Speed,’ embodied the family’s enduring hope for this defining moment.
Dennis Hamlin declared on the show,
“I’m supposed to break that and smoke that cigar. That’s what I’m going to do,”
and further expressed,
“I’d give everything I have, every car in this garage, the house, whatever, if I could make that happen.”
Significance of Hamlin’s Pursuit for NASCAR and Beyond
Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR championship pursuit transcends racing statistics, offering a narrative shaped by deep family bonds, personal endurance, and the intricate dynamics of modern professional motorsport. As the Phoenix Raceway showdown approaches, the potential for Hamlin to secure his first Cup title—especially in light of his father’s condition—stands to resonate not only with fans but with everyone across the sport, from his team to rivals and league officials alike. The outcome will likely influence Hamlin’s legacy within Joe Gibbs Racing, further affect the ongoing litigation within NASCAR’s ownership circles, and serve as an enduring chapter in the continuing story of the Hamlin family’s commitment to racing excellence.
