Hamlin’s Frustration at Phoenix: Championship Slip in Overtime
In a dramatic season finale at Phoenix Raceway, Denny Hamlin’s bid for the NASCAR Cup Series championship came to a stunning halt, despite dominating much of the race. After taking the pole position and leading for 208 laps, Hamlin’s chances dwindled when a late-race caution forced an overtime restart, ultimately leading to Ryan Blaney’s victory and Kyle Larson capturing the championship.
Hamlin, emotionally drained, expressed his disbelief post-race, stating, “I really don’t have much emotion right now. I’m just numb about it. Just in shock. That’s about it.” This was his fifth appearance in the Championship 4 since the format’s introduction in 2014 and marked the second time he finished as the runner-up. Over his 20-year career, he has placed second or third in the championship standings five times.
The race’s final caution occurred with just four laps remaining, erasing Hamlin’s commanding 3.3-second lead over Blaney. Fellow contender William Byron’s tire failure triggered the caution, allowing several drivers to gain position by staying on track. Hamlin, who opted for four tires during the pit stop, restarted from the seventh position, while Larson, who changed only two tires, lined up second.
In the chaotic final laps, Larson managed to secure a third-place finish, while Hamlin crossed the line in sixth. Crew chief Chris Gayle reflected on the unfortunate turn of events, stating, “I hate that it came to some chaotic late-race restart where we were the dominant car and didn’t get the win.” He further emphasized Hamlin’s preparation, asserting, “He prepared like a champion… even though he doesn’t have the trophy, I feel like he’s a champion.”
Hamlin’s quest for the championship carried personal significance, particularly with his father, Dennis, watching from home due to illness. The driver expressed regret that he could not deliver a title for his family.
Regarding the possibility of revising the playoff format to conclude races at their scheduled distance, Hamlin hesitated, saying, “Golly. In this moment, I never want to race a car ever again. My fun meter is pegged.”
Despite the disappointment, Hamlin maintained that his team executed well, stating, “Kyle Larson has the trophy, but we dominated. We did our job. We did the best we could.” As the season concludes, his performance solidifies his position as a formidable competitor, albeit one still searching for that elusive championship title.
