As Kyle Larson completed his victory laps and parked at the Phoenix Raceway finish line, he was met by his family and strapped his kids into the passenger seat for a joyride to celebrate the second NASCAR Cup Series Championship of his career.
Denny Hamlin was met by his kids, too.
Only there was no joy. Instead, there were only tears of sadness and heartbreak as Hamlin directed a 1,000-yard stare toward the finish line. It revealed the envy he felt after Larson captured something Hamlin has been chasing for more than 20 years.
It was a stunning, unbelievable finish to a day that Hamlin dominated. The 44-year-old Hamlin led a record-breaking 208 laps out of 312, setting a record for the most laps ever led in a Cup Series Championship race.
Larson’s car never led once and finished third, three spots ahead of Hamlin, to win the Series title. Ryan Blaney, who wasn’t one of the drivers in the Championship 4, won the race in a two-lap shootout
Larson was just as stunned as anybody who watched at Phoenix Raceway’s 1-mile tri-oval.
“Yeah, it’s insane. I mean did anybody in here think we had a shot?” Larson said in his post-race press conference. “I’m happy but there’s a piece of me that is sad for him as well. He’s a competitor, but he’s also a friend.”
Hamlin was, by all accounts, destined to capture the Cup. Regarded as the best NASCAR driver without a Cup Series title, he has won 60 Cup Series races without ever feeling the Cup Series trophy in his hands.
He carried all the intangibles and storylines of a winner along with him in the No. 11 Toyota.
It was possibly the last chance Hamlin’s father had to see him win. The elder Hamlin is battling an undisclosed illness, and Denny Hamlin recently said that he knew “for a fact” that 2025 would be the last chance for his father to see him win the Cup Series title.
And it appeared that it would happen when Hamlin held a three-second lead in the final laps.
Hamlin had all the intangibles, but he didn’t have the luck.
“Everything I prepared for happened today.” Hamlin said. “The team brought a great championship car and I drove it just right up until two laps to go. This is the part that stings.”
One of the biggest issues of the day was Goodyear’s tires, and it caught up to Hamlin.
Caution flags were being waved left and right for blown tires. And with three laps to go, driver William Byron’s car suffered a blow out, which caused him to slam into the third-turn wall and brought out the final caution flag of the day.
But what hurt Hamlin more was the choice to opt for a four-tire change during the caution while other contenders opted to change only two. It was a fateful decision that dropped Hamlin’s Toyota all the way to 11th in the running order.
And because the yellow came out in the final two laps, it triggered NASCAR overtime rules. Known as the “Green-White Checkered” rule, it ensures that there will be a finish to the race under a green flag. If another caution occurs before the cars reach the white flag – signaling the final lap – the overtime period restarts.
As William Byron walked in the press room during Hamlin’s questioning, he put a hand on Hamlin’s shoulder and apologized for a blow out that ultimately was not his fault. It was an act of class and respect. Even more telling was Hamlin’s response.
“Hey man, it happens. That’s racing.”
Still, Byron reiterated his apology with words that captured what nearly everyone felt:
“You deserved it.”
“It just doesn’t seem right.” Byron said. “I don’t want to be that guy, even if I’m in the Championship Four. Doesn’t really matter. I don’t want to change the outcome. So it sucks.”
Where does this leave Hamlin? He has made four Championship Four appearances. He finished runner up to Jimmie Johnson in 2010, but in his previous three appearances he only led a combined total of 52 laps, about a quarter of the number of laps he led Sunday.
When it was over, it took Hamlin 1½ minutes to hop out of his car after he parked it on pit road in disbelief. He was met by his family, all in tears, but most notably it was team owner Joe Gibbs, who indicated he couldn’t have been more proud of the way Hamlin represented Joe Gibbs Racing Sunday, just as he has over a 21-year career.
“I’m proud of ya … thank you. Thank you for the years.” Gibbs said. “You have five more right?”
Despite Gibbs’ consolation, Hamlin found himself in a familiar situation, and perhaps questioning his future in racing this time. The Cup Series Championship moves to Miami-Homestead Raceway in 2026. Will Hamlin be there?
“In this moment, I never want to race a car ever again.” Hamlin said. “My fun meter is pegged.”
Wasn’t rooting for anyone in particular but Hamlin should have stayed out on the caution. He would have finished ahead of Larson…in my opinion 🤔