Denny Hamlin championship heartbreak was not just felt by the driver alone but deeply touched his fiancée, Jordan Fish, and their family after the season-ending NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. The emotional aftermath was evident as Hamlin and Fish struggled with the stunning loss that denied him his long-sought first championship after two decades in the sport.
Jordan Fish, who became Hamlin’s fiancée on New Year’s Day 2024 and has been his partner for nearly twenty years, has shared in both Hamlin’s triumphs and difficult defeats throughout his NASCAR career. Fish, the mother of Hamlin’s three children, was present trackside to witness another painful near-miss, one that echoed past disappointments but carried even greater emotional weight.
The end of the season saw both Hamlin and Fish overwhelmed by emotion. In a candid Instagram post addressed to fans, Fish openly acknowledged the heartache felt by herself, Hamlin, and the entire team, giving the public a window into the pain that comes with such a narrow defeat.
💔
— Jordan Fish (@missjfish) November 3, 2025
Family Support and a Devastating Finish in Phoenix
Heading into Sunday’s race, Hamlin was a leading contender in the tightly contested NASCAR Cup Series championship. Throughout much of the race at Phoenix, Hamlin dominated, consistently leading the field and seeming poised to finally secure the elusive title that has escaped him for twenty seasons as a NASCAR driver.
However, with just three laps to the finish, a tire failure on William Byron’s car brought out a caution flag, erasing Hamlin’s commanding lead. Forced to make a strategic pit stop for four fresh tires while rivals opted for either none or two, Hamlin returned to the track in tenth position — five spots behind fellow championship challenger Kyle Larson.
In the final two-lap sprint to the checkered flag, Hamlin was unable to mount a comeback, trailing Larson at the finish. Larson’s result delivered another championship to Hendrick Motorsports, leaving Hamlin and his supporters to grapple with another crushing blow after coming so close to victory.
Hamlin’s visible disappointment was accompanied by an emotional embrace with Jordan Fish and their daughters at the conclusion of the race. The moment captured the tremendous pain of the defeat after a race where Hamlin had led more than half the laps and appeared destined for triumph.
Denny Hamlin comforted by family, pit crew, Chris Gayle, Joe Gibbs, and fellow title contender Chase Briscoe after heartbreaking championship loss.
After 20 years and 60 wins, Hamlin still lacks a Cup Series title.#NASCAR #Racing @dennyhamlin @phoenixraceway @MtrsprtsToday pic.twitter.com/JhH0i6Uzl1
— Eddie Kalegi (@EddieKalegi) November 3, 2025
Jordan Fish’s Raw Response to Another Championship Setback
In a heartfelt reaction, Jordan Fish did not shy away from sharing her true feelings about the setback in Phoenix. Her message to fans reflected the magnitude of the disappointment and the deep empathy she holds for Hamlin’s efforts on and off the racetrack.
Words can’t really express how I feel right rn (right now),
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
Numb maybe. My heart and body physically ache for Denny and his entire team. Watching him put in countless hours, years and two decades’ worth of hard work and dedication for a sport he loves so incredibly much, just to fall short once again, is absolutely heart-wrenching.
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
This latest defeat resonated more deeply than any previous championship disappointment for Hamlin. He had nearly secured both the race win and the championship title, only to lose it in the final moments due to circumstances beyond his control — a particularly bitter outcome given his ailing father, Dennis, was waiting to witness what could have been a life-defining triumph.
This sport can really make you feel on top of the world one second, and in the bottom of the trenches in the other,
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
I’m tired, I’m sad, I feel defeated. I wish the outcome was different. I’m confident Denny did all he could yesterday. And for that, I am so proud of him. I’m sad for his dad, who probably won’t get to witness his son accomplish his dream.
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
Hope Remains for Hamlin’s Future Success
Despite the heartbreak, Fish concluded her message with words expressing faith and determination, indicating that the pursuit of a NASCAR Cup Series title continues for Hamlin. Three-time Daytona 500 winner Hamlin has faced setbacks before, but Fish’s support points to more opportunities ahead.
God has a plan, even though it may be hard to see,
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
The story isn’t over. It’s just still being written. Thank you for your messages, thank you for your kindness, and thank you for always supporting our family.
— Jordan Fish, Fiancée
For now, the sorrow within Hamlin’s family and team is a powerful reminder of the intense emotions involved in competing at the highest level of NASCAR. The pain of coming up short is matched only by the hope that, with continued dedication, Denny Hamlin might someday complete his story with a long-awaited championship victory.
As fans, team members, and figures like Joe Gibbs and Chris Gayle offer support, the racing world will continue watching to see if Hamlin’s perseverance brings him the title that has narrowly slipped through his grasp so many times before. The Denny Hamlin championship heartbreak at Phoenix has left an indelible mark on all involved, but the story is not yet finished.
💔
— Jordan Fish (@missjfish) November 3, 2025
Denny Hamlin comforted by family, pit crew, Chris Gayle, Joe Gibbs, and fellow title contender Chase Briscoe after heartbreaking championship loss.
After 20 years and 60 wins, Hamlin still lacks a Cup Series title.#NASCAR #Racing @dennyhamlin @phoenixraceway @MtrsprtsToday pic.twitter.com/JhH0i6Uzl1
— Eddie Kalegi (@EddieKalegi) November 3, 2025
