Denny Hamlin’s recent Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship reaction drew attention as he missed out on claiming his long-sought Cup Series title during the 2025 season, a year when his hope was for his ailing father to see him finally win. Despite coming close, Hamlin finished second in points once again, with Kyle Larson earning his second NASCAR Cup Series championship and Hamlin returning home without the trophy.
Family Support After Hamlin’s Latest Championship Defeat
Competing for the championship has become familiar for Hamlin, but this season held special meaning, with his father’s health making Hamlin’s race for the title especially emotional. Although the ultimate win slipped away, Hamlin described the aftermath, sharing his father’s perspective:
“He was fine. Very supportive. He didn’t like the outcome, but I think he was still okay with the result. You know, he said to me, just like a lot of people say…he’s like, ‘I don’t know what to say. You had it. You did it. You just don’t have the trophy, that’s it.’”
– Father, Denny Hamlin’s father
For Hamlin, whose career with Joe Gibbs Racing stretches across two decades, these close calls are becoming a hallmark. His journey began in Huntersville, North Carolina, and despite leading a celebrated career, a championship continues to evade him. The last time he had been this close was in 2010, when Jimmie Johnson narrowly bested him for the title.
Hamlin’s Perspective on Near Retirement After Phoenix
Sharing his thoughts on what a championship might have meant, Hamlin revealed on his Actions Detrimental podcast that, if victorious in Phoenix, he considered retirement a fitting way to cap his tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing – even though his current contract keeps him with the team through 2027. He explained his feelings in detail:
“Listen, I would’ve begged Joe (Gibbs) to let me quit had I won that race,”
Hamlin said in a statement.
“Because it would’ve been the perfect way for me to go out.”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
However, as Hamlin noted, Joe Gibbs Racing has other plans, wanting their veteran driver to race at least one more season while preparing for his eventual succession. In Hamlin’s words:
“They have to have time to work on my succession plan, and we obviously set a date out now to at least come to when that is,”
he continued.
“But I would’ve certainly really, really asked him (Joe Gibbs) a big favor to let me end on that one had it gone well.”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Looking Ahead to the Next NASCAR Season
The end of the 2025 season saw Hamlin add strong statistics to his career record: six race wins, 14 top-five finishes, and 18 top-10 results, along with 1,024 laps led and an average finish of 13.971. Yet, the larger goal remains elusive, ensuring Hamlin’s competitive drive for the upcoming season.
Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin will regroup for 2026, as Hamlin readies for his 21st season with the team. The campaign will begin with the exhibition-style Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in February, followed by the season’s first points race, the iconic Daytona 500, set to take place on February 15. Hamlin, racing in his familiar No. 11 Toyota Camry, will once again pursue the title that has slipped from his grasp so many times.
Kyle Larson’s victory further cements his standing in the sport, while Hamlin’s emotional and public response, especially regarding his father, continues to resonate with fans. With Florida and North Carolina as key backdrops to his career, Hamlin’s quest for a championship remains one of the biggest storylines as the NASCAR Cup Series looks ahead to another competitive year.
.@dennyhamlin discusses how his dad felt and his words for Denny after the race. 💯 pic.twitter.com/aUpxmyzMqk
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) November 14, 2025
