Denny Hamlin, a veteran NASCAR driver, will compete for what could be his last best chance at a NASCAR Cup Series title at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday. The stakes are higher than ever in Hamlin’s NASCAR championship pursuit, as personal and professional milestones collide in a race that is about far more than victory alone.
A Legendary Career Without a Cup Title
At 44, Hamlin is regarded as the most successful NASCAR driver yet to claim a championship, his 60 career wins underscoring a remarkable run defined by skill and persistence. This year’s final at Phoenix is charged with emotion, especially with his father, Dennis Hamlin, following from home while battling a serious illness. Earlier this month, Hamlin captured his 60th career win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, an emotional high point he dedicated to his father.
Hamlin has openly acknowledged that this may be his father’s final chance to witness him capture the sport’s top honor.
“Realistically I know that this is [my dad’s] last chance to see it.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
The driver’s motivation goes well beyond trophies as he reflects on the sacrifices his family, particularly his parents, made to fuel his ambitions and dreams.
“Obviously, my dad has been a huge fan of mine, and I knew he was watching, and he knew how much 60 meant to me. Realistically, I know this is his last chance to get to see it if it does happen,”
Hamlin said on Inside The Race.
“… They’re the ones that made the sacrifices ultimately, right? I’m the one who said this is what I want to do, and they just had to figure out what all they were willing to sacrifice to make that happen. This is the chance if we’re going to do it, and he’s going to see it, it’s going to have to happen now.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin Faces Strong NASCAR Championship Contenders
The path to a first championship is not an easy one, with Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson rounding out the tightly matched Championship 4. Larson brings the only prior championship to this year’s race, having triumphed in 2021. Despite the competitive field, no clear favorite has emerged, and each contender brings both speed and motivation to Phoenix Raceway.
Support and Respect from Fellow Drivers
Kyle Larson, preparing for his own shot at another crown, shared genuine admiration for Hamlin ahead of the showdown.
“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,”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver, via Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press
While Larson remains determined to win, he respects Hamlin’s journey and the emotional resonance a championship for Hamlin would bring across the sport.
“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. I truly think everybody in the sport would be happy, probably even the folks at NASCAR.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
What’s at Stake in Phoenix
The upcoming championship is a pivotal moment for Denny Hamlin, whose personal circumstances have shaped his resolve. With his father’s health adding urgency and meaning to this year’s title pursuit, the race at Phoenix is about building a legacy and sharing triumph with family and fans. Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson stand as formidable opposition, but for Hamlin, every lap carries the weight of history and hope.
The outcome at Phoenix will not just crown this season’s NASCAR champion but may also define the legacy of one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. For Hamlin, this race could be the culminating chapter in a career marked by victories, near-misses, and relentless dedication, with the potential to finally add his name to the short list of those who have conquered NASCAR’s biggest stage.
“Realistically I know that this is [my dad’s] last chance to see it.”
Denny Hamlin’s chasing more than a trophy this weekend. pic.twitter.com/3BwFm3PBxV
— Steve Letarte (@SteveLetarte) October 30, 2025
