Denny Hamlin experienced a devastating loss in his quest for the NASAR Cup Series title at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, as an unexpected late-race twist denied him the Bill France Cup. This Denny Hamlin championship heartbreak represents perhaps the most intense setback of his long and remarkable career, leaving fans, his Joe Gibbs Racing team, and Hamlin himself in shock after dominating most of the Championship Race.
Hamlin Leads Most of the Race, Only to Lose in Dramatic Fashion
At 44 years old, Hamlin has faced many disappointments in his pursuit of a championship, but the outcome at Phoenix was singularly harsh. He led a race-high 208 laps out of 319 in the season’s most important event, piloting his No. 11 Toyota with skill and resolve. With only three laps remaining, Hamlin was in full control and appeared set to finally secure his maiden Cup Series title. Yet, the unpredictable nature of racing—and what some call the cruelty of the racing gods—delivered a punishment few saw coming.
William Byron, running second both on the track and in the championship standings, suffered a flat tire and struck the Turn 4 wall. This mishap brought out a caution flag and pushed the race into an overtime finish, setting the stage for a chaotic and pressure-filled conclusion.
Overtime Pit Strategies Upend Hamlin’s Race
The late caution radically altered pit strategies and track position. Hamlin led the field to pit road during the caution period, while three other drivers elected to stay out and inherit the top three spots by keeping their worn tires. As the confusion unfolded, Kyle Larson and several other contenders opted for just two new tires, while Hamlin rejoined the field as the top driver with four fresh tires—but now behind a crowd of cars who had rolled the dice.
Hamlin’s hopes rested on his equipment, his pit crew members, and a sliver of good fortune, but as the field lined up for the restart, it became clear the uphill battle would be steep. The unpredictability of how many drivers would risk two tires left Hamlin further back for the green-white-checkered finish than he had anticipated.
“No, I didn’t think it was over. I thought, ‘Well, let me see where the other guys are at. Surely, they can’t jump too far in front of me,’ and I just didn’t think there would be that many cars that took two tires,”
Hamlin admitted.
“We can’t — it’s really hard to predict how many cars are going to do what and things like that. But, I didn’t think it was over. But when I lined up Row 5, I thought it would be difficult for sure.”
Final Restart: Larson Surges, Hamlin Falls Short
On the decisive final sprint, Larson carved through traffic to finish third, while Hamlin, starting in tenth place, was unable to fight his way back into title contention. He ultimately crossed the line in sixth place, which, heartbreakingly, left him the runner-up in the overall championship battle—a result that stung, given how close he came to fulfilling his dream.
Hamlin Reflects on the Stinging Defeat
Post-race, Hamlin grappled with a mixture of numbness and disbelief, his disappointment visible to all on pit road.
“I really don’t have much for emotion right now. Just numb about it because, just in shock. That’s about it,”
Hamlin anguished in his post-race press conference.
Despite running a dominant race and executing throughout the day, Hamlin struggled with the timing of the caution that upended his command of the contest. It wasn’t the first time a yellow flag had dashed his hopes, but the proximity to victory this time made it exceptionally bitter.
“Well, I mean it’s just we’re 40 seconds from a championship. It’s just unfortunate,”
Hamlin said.
“The only difference before is the cautions came maybe a little sooner than that. But I don’t know. It’s just, gosh, you work so hard. You do. It’s just this sport can drive you absolutely crazy because it’s just sometimes speed, talent, and all of that stuff just does not matter.”
He elaborated further on his emotions and preparation, recognizing that his performance had been everything he could give, only to be derailed in the final moments.
“I did the best I could. You know. I — there’s just, everything I prepared for, happened today. And I felt like we responded. Losing track position at one point, and just battling back, and you know, I did really well on restarts, did well on restarts the bulk of the year. And just, yeah, the team brought a great championship car, and I felt like I drove it just right up until two laps to go. And so, this is the part that stings.”
Team Support and the Human Side of Loss
The heartbreak was immediate and profound, not only for Hamlin but also for his family and crew. His daughters, watching from pit road, were reduced to tears—not of joy, but of devastation over the near miss. Chris Gayle, Hamlin’s crew chief, stood by him after the race, telling Hamlin that in his view, they had performed like champions.
Hamlin described how he tried to comfort his children after the race, turning the hard lesson into something for the future.
“[It’s] Something we can’t control. You know, just certainly unfortunate circumstances. It’ll be one of those life lessons years down the road.”
He also made a point to praise the relentless efforts of his pit crew, who executed with precision all season long, playing a crucial role in Hamlin’s dominant run and supporting him at every opportunity.
“Yeah, they did a great job. We had one hiccup, and it wasn’t their fault. We got fortunate there with the left rear tire that was flat under caution, and they just executed a great day. I wish, man, I really wish I got it for them,”
Hamlin stated.
Efforts and Achievements Amid Disappointment
Though the championship slipped away, Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing team had much to be proud of. In Avondale, Arizona, he had driven perhaps the best car on the grid, accomplishing an impressive victory streak throughout the season—including a series-high tally of six wins. In the immediate aftermath, however, that was little consolation.
“Yeah, I mean, Kyle Larson has the trophy, but we dominated,”
Hamlin explained.
“We did our job. We did the best we could. You know, they’re a championship team, and a championship driver, and they’re gonna win a hell of a lot more than just these two. But you know, when everyone had to bring their best, I think it was evident who was the best today.”
Looking Ahead: Hamlin’s Resilience
With the sting of defeat still fresh, Hamlin was brutally candid about his mindset immediately after the race.
“In this moment, I like never want to race a car ever again,”
Hamlin said, his “fun meter pegged” by the emotional rollercoaster. Yet, for a driver with 60 career NASCAR Cup Series victories, known for his resilience, another comeback attempt seems inevitable once the pain of this Denny Hamlin championship heartbreak begins to fade.
With loyal pit crew members, steadfast supporters like Chris Gayle, and his family behind him, Hamlin will regroup during the off-season and set his sights on another shot at the illusive championship in the year ahead. The heartbreak at Phoenix Raceway will linger, but if past seasons are any indication, expect Denny Hamlin to once again battle for the Bill France Cup, driven by both the sting of loss and the burning desire to finally become a championship driver.
