Denny Hamlin has spoken out about his devastating loss in the Cup Series championship, revealing in raw detail how close he came to victory and how it slipped away in the final moments in Phoenix. The Denny Hamlin Cup Series heartbreak was marked by his powerful reaction at trackside and his candid reflections in the weeks since the race.
Hamlin Details His Perspective on Losing the Championship to Kyle Larson
In Phoenix, after twenty years of dreaming about a championship, Hamlin found himself overcome with emotion as he witnessed Kyle Larson celebrating, living out the moment he had pursued throughout his career. The season had seemed to align for him—solid performances, a chance at the title—but fate turned against him during the decisive Cup Series race.
Since that night, Hamlin withdrew from public view, choosing to process the disappointment surrounded by his family. Now, after some time for introspection, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has elected to share his feelings publicly for the first time since the conclusion of the season and the NASCAR awards ceremony. His story comes through an episode of his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, which marked his return to the spotlight and a rare glimpse into his mindset during such a high-stakes moment.
Hamlin described the pain of watching the pivotal events unfold during the closing laps at Phoenix. He had pitted for fresh tires and rejoined in tenth place, but quickly made up ground. Entering the final restart with the “Green-White Checkered” flag, Hamlin still believed he could capture the championship. The confidence was fleeting.
Relying on his team for information, Hamlin recounted a critical moment when his spotter informed him,
“three-wide bottom and the five is stuck up top.”
This communication suggested to Hamlin that both he and Kyle Larson were in a three-car battle, and Hamlin thought he had the better lane to advance.
Motivated by hope, Hamlin surged forward, feeling he had finally moved past his rivals. As he entered the dog leg, he suddenly saw the field spread out, and ahead of him, for the first time all race, was Larson’s car. The realization came to him instantly, and the devastation hit hard.
“It’s not till we crossed the white and the cars fanned out under the white flag, and we went to the dog leg and the cars fanned out to where you could see them all, and I saw the five. That was the I mean I’m not kidding and I’m not overstating when that was the first time I saw them all day. Uh, not one other lap was he in front of us. And I saw him right there with three-quarters of a mile to go. And I knew at that point, oh my god, it’s over. Like at that point, I knew that he had won.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
The weight of this moment signaled to Hamlin that his 20th Cup Series campaign would end without the long-sought championship trophy. The reality stung more deeply because he had not lost due to shortcomings in speed or a malfunction. Instead, it was circumstances outside his control that sealed his fate.
The team’s performance had kept him in the fight until the final moments, and the No. 11 car was strong during the last charge. What troubled Hamlin the most was not being outpaced, but feeling helpless against the elements that influenced the outcome. This sense of powerlessness was a bitter pill to swallow after investing so many years and so much effort into the pursuit of a title.
Reflecting on Strategy and What Could Have Been
Looking back, Hamlin believes that a different approach might have changed the outcome. In particular, he pointed to the pit strategy after the late caution. While several teams—including the group supporting Kyle Larson—opted for a two-tire change to gain an advantage in the final restart, Hamlin and his engineers stuck with four new tires. This decision, he admits in hindsight, potentially hurt his position on the track during those decisive closing laps.
If the No. 11 team had adopted the two-tire strategy, they would have spent less time in the pits during the last caution, putting Hamlin closer to the front. A higher restart would have provided a much clearer view of competitors and given Hamlin more control in the final surge for the championship. Nevertheless, racing is often decided in the margins, and even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by split-second developments on track.
The experience has left Hamlin contemplative about the unpredictable nature of racing at the Cup Series level. As a 44-year-old veteran and co-owner of 23XI Racing, he has now endured another campaign ending in heartbreak, despite everything aligning for a breakthrough. Still, his recent appearance on his podcast and willingness to revisit his sorrow demonstrate a renewed sense of resolve to confront the future.
The Road Ahead for Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin’s struggle in Phoenix has become a pivotal chapter in his long career, prompting discussion among fans and analysts about the role of strategy, communication, and plain circumstance when championships are on the line. The presence of competitors like Kyle Larson and the ever-intense environment of the Cup Series only heighten the challenge for any driver seeking the top spot.
Hamlin’s honesty in recounting his Cup Series heartbreak provides insight into both the personal and professional cost of coming up short after years of dedication. As the off-season continues, the racing community will watch closely to see how Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing team, and 23XI Racing regroup and respond. With his long track record, commitment, and the lessons learned from Phoenix, Denny Hamlin is expected to return determined to chase the elusive Cup championship once more.
