Kyle Larson Claims Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship Amid Denny Hamlin’s Heartbreak
Phoenix, AZ – Kyle Larson celebrated his second NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday, but the moment was bittersweet as fellow competitor Denny Hamlin narrowly missed securing his first title.
Hamlin, who started from pole and led the race for much of the afternoon, was poised for victory until a caution with less than four laps remaining altered the race’s dynamics. Larson, opting for a two-tire pit stop, gained an advantage over Hamlin, who took four tires. This strategic call allowed Larson to finish third, while Hamlin ultimately crossed the line in sixth.
Reflecting on the emotional finale, Larson expressed empathy for Hamlin, noting, “I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now… It’s got to be something completely different than I ever felt before through any of my defeats.” His thoughts shifted between celebration and compassion as he observed Hamlin and the Joe Gibbs Racing team processing their close loss.
During his post-race interview with NBC Sports, Larson unprompted mentioned his feelings for Hamlin while holding the Bill France Cup. “He’s a great competitor. He’s a good friend,” Larson stated, highlighting the unique duality of his joy and sadness. “When you steal it from a guy who has tried for so long and had it in his fingertips, it’s a really weird feeling.”
This marks the closest Hamlin has come to winning the Cup in his 20-year career, finishing as a runner-up for the second time and counting five occasions where he has ended either second or third in the standings. “I was going to be happy for him to win… then the caution came out, and the script flipped right there,” Larson noted.
The race underscored the relentless competition and emotional stakes at the pinnacle of NASCAR, with Larson’s tactical decisions ultimately determining the outcome of the championship.
