Denny Hamlin clinched the top starting position for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway, heightening anticipation for his long-awaited breakthrough and keeping the Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship pole in the spotlight. The 20-year Joe Gibbs Racing veteran will attempt to finally secure a championship title on Sunday after years of disappointment, battling both on-track rivals and off-track tensions that loom over NASCAR’s pivotal weekend.
Hamlin’s Drive: From Near Misses to Phoenix Pole
After two decades punctuated by almost-wins and heartbreaks, Denny Hamlin finds himself on the verge of altering his legacy. While previous chances slipped away in the closing moments — most notably in 2019 and 2020 — this season’s finale brings a renewed sense of urgency. Now in his twentieth full-time season, Hamlin has again placed himself in pole contention, positioning his No. 11 Toyota on the front row at Phoenix Raceway for Sunday’s championship decider.
The anticipation for Hamlin’s quest grew after he topped the field during qualifying for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier in the year, laying a foundation for consistent performance. However, it is Phoenix, a track notorious for challenging both equipment and driver focus, where Hamlin hopes to write his redemption story.
Hamlin seized the pole with a blistering lap of 133.759 mph, narrowly edging William Byron by just 0.042 seconds. This achievement not only established his intent for championship weekend but also put him in a statistical and psychological advantage.
“We’re trying. We’re doing everything we can, but really proud of this whole progressive Toyota team. We’ve worked hard at it, and hopefully we get the payoff tomorrow.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite 60 Cup victories and three triumphs at the Daytona 500, the sport’s top honor has eluded Hamlin. Securing his fifth pole of the year, he also posted the quickest lap in the final practice, underlining Joe Gibbs Racing’s remarkable long-run pace and preparation for the decisive race. According to Hamlin,
“Execution is going to matter more than anything. We’re starting in a great spot, but we’ve got to do all the right things. Let’s execute the entire day, and that’s going to rest on my shoulders, so I’ll do the best I can,”
underscoring the personal responsibility he shoulders.
Recent Phoenix history supports the importance of Hamlin’s starting spot: each of the last three Next Gen champions—Kyle Larson in 2021, Joey Logano in 2022, and Ryan Blaney in 2023—began the race within the top five. Given the track’s technical flat turns and abrasive surface, initial positions can determine who manages clean air and race control from the outset.
Preparation and Precision: Joe Gibbs Racing’s Strategic Approach
Although Hamlin’s average Next Gen finish at Phoenix hovers just outside the top five, he notably finished third in 2023 and has led laps in three of the last four events at the track. Joe Gibbs Racing focused on setup stability over outright speed, deliberately avoiding the kind of aggressive approaches that resulted in right-rear tire wear issues for drivers like Tyler Reddick and Ty Gibbs during practice.
Crew chief Chris Gabehart elaborated on their philosophy:
“We wanted to make sure we can attack the race, not just qualifying. We’ve seen what happens when teams go too aggressive here; it’s about making your stuff live.”
— Chris Gabehart, Crew Chief
Throughout the postseason, the JGR team has displayed a measured and consistent approach, boasting the best average finish among the four championship finalists over the last 10 races. This careful preparation reflects a focus on sustainability rather than overextending for short-term gains, aiming to move beyond the mid-pack struggles Hamlin encountered in previous Phoenix starts such as 2021 and early 2023.
Hamlin observed the significance of his current starting position and its impact on the race:
“Track position has always been key here,”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver. He emphasized how
“You just don’t want to put yourself in a bad situation early. Starting up front gives us a chance to control what we can.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
The 2025 season underscores Hamlin’s strength. His record—six victories, 14 top-five results, and 17 top-ten finishes—demonstrates momentum, while improvements in Toyota’s aerodynamics have contributed to his competitive edge. Rivals like Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe enter with their own motivations and strategies, but Hamlin’s methodical style may provide the crucial difference as the grid forms for the weekend’s most important start.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Hamlin said,
“We’ve done everything right to this point. Now it’s just about doing our job. No distractions, no excuses.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
The mood was tense but optimistic as Hamlin exited the garage, adding:
“We’ll see what happens tomorrow. It’s in our hands now.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Legal Battles Off Track: NASCAR’s Internal Struggles Highlight Championship Weekend
While Hamlin’s determination for a NASCAR championship pole dominates headlines, the organization faces unresolved internal friction. Steve Phelps, NASCAR’s president, addressed the ongoing lawsuit between 23XI Racing—a team Denny Hamlin co-owns—and Front Row Motorsports during his annual State of the Sport remarks. These tensions have polarized stakeholders just as the season reaches its climax.
Phelps detailed his perspective on the discord:
“We are trying our hardest. I am trying my hardest both as a fan as well as the commissioner of this sport that I’ve loved since I was five years old. While two of the 15 teams may not share that view and seem set on an unfortunate court battle, I hope that we can all agree that our racing is as good as it has ever been and we care about how we serve our fans, especially as we look forward to capping off our season by celebrating new champions across all of our national series,”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR President
The legal dispute, set for trial after failed settlement discussions, stems from dissatisfaction among some teams regarding the charter system—a mechanism guaranteeing race entry and financial distributions, totaling $3 billion in payments and $1.5 billion in value under the current extended agreement. A judge recently dismissed NASCAR’s counterclaim, signaling further complications ahead.
Defending the charter framework, Phelps maintained:
“Healthy race teams are critical to our sport. We’ve been true to our word. From the outset, we’ve been clear this is not an antitrust case.”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR President
He underscored the partnership that underpins the sport’s stability:
“We are proud of what we built for fans together with the race teams, especially since the charters were introduced,”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR President. He added,
“As you saw in the race team declarations, the charter system is a critical part of the sport, something we created with and for the teams. We’ll continue to defend and preserve it. Make no mistake, the lawsuit puts this at risk.”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR President
With Hamlin’s 23XI Racing organization at the centre of the legal proceedings, his on-track pursuit and the off-track legal wrangling have intertwined narratives, each casting their own intensity on the season’s conclusion. While Phelps urges unity, the litigation brings a sense of unease to NASCAR’s administrative future, running in parallel to the drama on the asphalt.
The Stakes for Denny Hamlin and NASCAR’s Future
As the green flag approaches at Phoenix Raceway, all eyes focus on Denny Hamlin’s dual narrative—the chase for his elusive championship title and his involvement in a pivotal legal case that may reshape NASCAR’s internal dynamics. Competing against stalwarts such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Briscoe, Hamlin must combine track position, strategic finesse, and mental resilience to realize racing’s highest honor.
The weekend holds greater significance beyond a single driver’s triumph; the events and outcomes in Arizona will reverberate throughout the racing community, influencing not only the path to the trophy but the organizational principles that govern NASCAR itself. Hamlin’s performance under pressure, alongside Steve Phelps’ commitment to unity, sets the stage for a weekend brimming with both hope and uncertainty for fans, teams, and the wider motorsports landscape.
Statement. Made. #A11In pic.twitter.com/HsMeNkLagD
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 1, 2025
Statement. Made. #A11In pic.twitter.com/HsMeNkLagD
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 1, 2025
