Denny Hamlin heads back to Phoenix Raceway determined to bounce back after his crushing loss at last year’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Despite an outstanding performance leading 208 of 319 laps in November 2025, the strategy on an overtime restart cost him a long-awaited title, making this return especially significant for the experienced driver. The Denny Hamlin Phoenix return will be marked by hope and unfinished business as he strives for a different outcome this time.
Recent Standings and Starting Position
Currently age 45, Hamlin returns as a 60-race winner but finds himself ranked 23rd in the series standings. He will begin Sunday’s race in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, starting from the 11th position on the grid. This race is a crucial opportunity for Hamlin to improve his standing and regain momentum following the disappointment at the same venue just months ago.
Lingering Emotions From Last Year’s Defeat
Reflecting on last November’s near miss, Hamlin admitted the lingering impact of the loss.
“I’m still angry at the track a little bit,”
said Denny Hamlin, driver. He continued,
“But the track doesn’t have a soul, so it can’t feel the things I feel.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, Hamlin acknowledged the need for a fresh start.
“You’ve still got to come in here and start the whole process over again and do all the right things and see where the result pans out this time. Haven’t had a whole lot of races since we were here for the championship, so just trying to get acclimated with where we are at this point and seeing if we can we replicate some of the magic we had.”
– Denny Hamlin, driver
Impressive Record at Phoenix Raceway
Hamlin’s history at Phoenix demonstrates his strength on this challenging track. In 41 career Cup Series starts at Phoenix, he has claimed two wins, finished in the top five seventeen times, and earned twenty-four top ten results. His 1,147 career laps led at the venue rank him third among all drivers, and he was one of only five drivers to place within the top ten in both Phoenix Cup races during 2025. This impressive track record keeps hopes high for another standout performance.
What’s at Stake This Weekend
The upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway is not just another event for Hamlin—it represents redemption and the possibility of finally securing the championship that eluded him last fall. With support from Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota, Sunday’s showdown offers Hamlin a renewed chance to affirm his place among elite NASCAR drivers, and perhaps, to conclude his two-decade quest with the title that has always seemed within reach.
