Denny Hamlin Distraught After Desert Defeat

EDDIE KALEGI - NASCAR REPORTER

Denny Hamlin left wondering after another Cup Series title slips away. (Photo Credit: Eddie Kalegi, Motorsports Today, November 2nd, 2025)

Standing on pit road with less than five laps to go in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway, there was a peculiar vibe in the air. More than 100 fans, partners, and Toyota employees were gathered behind Denny Hamlin’s pit box, with team owner Joe Gibbs seated just behind crew chief Chris Gayle and the #11 Progressive Toyota team.

A feeling that something historic was looming was palpable. As the gap between Hamlin and fellow title contender William Byron grew, so too did belief that a two decade dream would finally be realized. The 44 year-old from Chesterfield, Virginia, the tenth winningest driver in the history of the sport, had dominated from the onset of the weekend, and was on the precipice of hoisting the only hardware he was yet to claim in his illustrious career.

At the same time, there was a clouding sentiment of tension around the Toyota camp. Denny Hamlin has been down this road many times before, and the NASCAR community knows all too well that even when a championship appears very much in striking distance, something seemingly always derails Denny Hamlin’s title hopes. On Sunday, that heartbreaking trend continued.

William Byron blew a tire and brought out a caution. Chris Gayle opted for a four tire pit stop leading into overtime, putting Hamlin behind not only the cars who stayed out, but also championship challenger Kyle Larson, who only took two tires. Hamlin had no room to maneuver on the restart. Kyle Larson soared to the outside and never looked back. Ryan Blaney won the race. Larson became a two-time champion. Denny Hamlin was left numb, saddened, and stunned.

Conversations can be had about the playoff system, about overtime, and about the various other gimmicks that have made NASCAR’s championship crowning process a significant point of contention in recent years. 

However, at this moment, the dialogue should be about Denny Hamlin, the legendary driver who stood on pit road in tears with his children as Kyle Larson celebrated behind him, knowing full well that this might have been the last chance for his terminally ill father to see his son win a championship. Denny Hamlin, a polarizing figure who, whether adored or hated, has become arguably NASCAR’s most recognizable name. Denny Hamlin, who through his podcast Actions Detrimental, has become maybe the most transparent driver in major motorsports. Denny Hamlin, who is in the midst of an embroiled lawsuit with NASCAR itself, trying to make the sport better and more profitable for all parties involved. Denny Hamlin, who’s been a star of stock car racing for two decades. 20 years, 60 wins, but still, no Cup Series titles.

Now about those aforementioned conversations. Steven Taranto said it best on X last night. “Imagine telling someone in February that Kyle Larson is going to score the most points all year and win the Cup championship, but the circumstances are going to make it seem like it was a fluke and he fell ass backwards into it. You couldn’t tell a lie that good.”

Statistically speaking, Kyle Larson deserved the championship. He only had three wins to Hamlin’s six, but taking all factors into account, Larson had the resume to become a NASCAR Cup Series champion. Yet due to the format, and this excruciating defeat that left Denny Hamlin at a loss for words, something just doesn’t sit right.