Kevin Harvick, a respected figure in the racing world, has named Denny Hamlin as his choice for NASCAR Driver of the Year, even though Kyle Larson secured the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway. Harvick’s pick comes after evaluating strong seasons from four contenders, emphasizing that the focus keyword — Kevin Harvick NASCAR Driver — doesn’t always align with championship outcomes, especially in such a turbulent season.
Harvick’s Deliberate Choice for Driver of the Year
While Kyle Larson celebrated his championship win, Harvick considered Larson alongside Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Shane van Gisbergen for his own top driver honor. Harvick pointed to Hamlin’s resilience throughout a year marked by significant change and adversity. On the “Happy Hour” podcast, Harvick observed,
“He had another career year with the way that they performed,”
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver. Harvick highlighted not only performance stats but the broader context of challenges Hamlin faced, including adapting to a new crew chief and being in championship contention until the final laps. As Harvick noted,
“New crew chief, all the things they went through this year, in contention to win the championship up until about five laps to go. A lot of wins.”
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver.
Major Obstacles and Achievements in Hamlin’s 2025 Season
Denny Hamlin’s journey through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season was defined by several serious challenges. Hamlin had to adjust to the leadership of new crew chief Chris Gayle after parting ways with long-standing crew chief Chris Gabehart. Off the track, his primary sponsor changed from FedEx to Progressive, and at age 44, Hamlin faced intense pressure to prove he could still compete at the highest level. Personal issues compounded the pressure, with Hamlin managing a lawsuit against NASCAR and unfolding health concerns for his father, Dennis, at home.
Despite all of these hardships, Hamlin consistently delivered strong performances. He led all drivers in the series with six race wins, achieving a career milestone with his 60th victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the season finale at Phoenix, he was just three miles away from notching a 61st win and his long-awaited first championship.
During the high-stakes final race, Hamlin led for a record 208 laps before a late caution, triggered by William Byron’s blown tire, disrupted his championship hopes. Fateful decisions, such as Cliff Daniels’ two-tire call for Larson, placed Hamlin five spots back for the overtime restart, costing him the crucial track position and leaving him unable to regain the lead before time ran out.
Recognition Despite Missing the Title
For many observers, not winning the championship overshadowed Hamlin’s efforts. Yet, Harvick’s perspective remained consistent. As he stated,
“From an overall standpoint, I think that Denny, with all the things he had going on, I just think he dealt with more than the rest of them,”
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver. Harvick further added,
“He didn’t win the championship, but the rest of it was better than everybody else’s, I believe.”
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver.
Harvick’s endorsement of Hamlin as NASCAR Driver of the Year signals a broader understanding of what defines greatness in motorsport — not simply a trophy, but the ability to overcome adversity while continuing to compete at the top level, a testament to the turbulent 2025 season and Hamlin’s determination. The recognition could shape future conversations about what it means to be the best in such a demanding, unpredictable sport.
