Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship hopes were dashed in spectacular fashion last weekend at Phoenix, where his long pursuit of the NASCAR Cup title ended in heartbreak. Despite this crushing setback, many in the garage—including NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin—are confident that Hamlin is far from finished and believe that he will fight for the championship again.
Comparisons to Carl Edwards’ Emotional Exit
In the world of NASCAR, Hamlin’s situation brings memories of Carl Edwards, a driver who consistently performed at the highest level for 13 years without ever clinching the top prize. Edwards experienced a similar heartbreak in 2016 after making it to the Championship 4 and came so close to the title, only to leave the sport immediately afterward, unable to move past the disappointment.
This year, Hamlin found himself in a comparable scenario. Like Edwards, he stated—at least in the emotional aftermath—that he no longer wanted to continue driving. However, Mark Martin has voiced his belief that Hamlin will not follow that same path out of the sport.
Inside the Phoenix Race: Domination and Heartbreak
Mark Martin recently discussed the similarities and differences between Edwards’ final race and Hamlin’s latest challenge, sharing his thoughts alongside his son, Matt Martin, and fellow racer Kenny Wallace.
“Carl left the sport in a way that just left me in awe. But we will see where Denny is now. I believe he can come back in 26 and contend for the championship again. I also believe that 2025 was his year,”
Mark Martin, NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Martin observed how Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, managed to outperform his rivals throughout the race, only for an untimely late-race caution to reverse his fortunes at the critical moment.
“Denny and his team did the work, put the work in, whooped everybody’s a**. I mean, anytime he wanted, he could pull out to a 3-second lead. He did it all. And then, because in the name of entertainment, all these different things, points, resets, this, that, and the other, overtime finishes, whatever, something happens, and it slips through their fingers, and it tears everybody’s heart up. It’s not really a flaw in the system. It’s just that dog on it; you really wanted the guy that earned it, the guy that dominated the race, they did the work.”
Mark Martin, NASCAR Hall of Famer.
The Mental Test Facing Hamlin
Throughout the Phoenix event, Hamlin started from pole position, leading two-thirds of the race and controlling nearly every aspect until fate intervened with a late caution. The sense of being so close yet denied again was visible in the immediate aftermath.
“That when it matters, that’s hard,”
Mark Martin, NASCAR Hall of Famer.
For Hamlin and his #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team, the challenge now shifts from the track to his personal resilience. The larger question looming over him is not just about his physical performance but whether he has the mental fortitude to regroup, manage the disappointment, and make another run at the elusive title—especially as he faces advancing age and stiffer competition every year.
Contrasting Outlooks and the Path Forward
Carl Edwards opted to leave the NASCAR scene after losing trust in the evolving nature of the sport. He questioned the worth of staying in an environment swayed increasingly by entertainment factors, abrupt points changes, and unpredictable race endings. For Edwards, this environment ultimately led to his departure.
The situation appears different for Hamlin, who remains driven by passion for competition and racing’s challenges. Though the recent heartbreak is significant, many in NASCAR circles believe Hamlin will rebound, motivated by two decades of near-misses and sustained excellence. As speculation swirls and fans hope for redemption, the expectation is that Hamlin will return, determined to conquer the NASCAR Cup Championship that still eludes him.
