Denny Hamlin’s 2025 Cup Series campaign came crashing down in a whirlwind of shock and heartbreak at Phoenix Raceway, leaving fans and the racing community reeling. After entering the Championship 4 race as a heavy favorite, bolstered by his pole position, Hamlin’s dreams of clinching that elusive title slipped through his fingers once again, as he crossed the finish line in a disheartening sixth place.
The pressure was palpable as Hamlin took to the track, boasting a track record that made him a formidable contender. However, despite the promising start, his hopes began to falter. By the end of Stage 1, he had already dropped to third, and although he fought fiercely to reclaim the lead in Stage 2, it was not enough to secure his fate. The final stage saw him fading, ultimately sealing his fate far from the championship he desperately sought.
In the aftermath of the race, a visibly shaken Hamlin expressed his dismay in a candid moment with NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall on social media platform X. “I really don’t have much emotion for it right now. Numb about it. Just in shock,” he admitted, capturing the essence of his disappointment. He added, “I wanted it so bad for everyone else, all my friends and supporters, and family. We were 40 seconds from a championship.” Those words resonate with the anguish of being so close yet so far from glory.
With this latest setback, Hamlin finds himself grappling with the reality of missing out on a championship title for the second time in five years. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports seized the moment, finishing third in the race and securing his second title, while fellow championship contenders Chase Briscoe and William Byron fell short, finishing in 18th and a dismal 33rd place, respectively.
In a twist of fate, Larson had also denied Hamlin the title back in 2021, reinforcing the rivalry that seems to shadow Hamlin’s quest for NASCAR greatness. As Ryan Blaney triumphed in that race, the echoes of past disappointments lingered, making this year’s loss sting even more.
Nonetheless, Hamlin maintained a sense of respect for his competition and his team, the Joe Gibbs Racing squad. After the race, he praised their efforts, stating, “Kyle Larson has the trophy, but we dominated, we did our job, we did the best we could. They’re a championship team and championship driver, and they’re going to win a hell of a lot more than just these two, but when everyone had to bring their best, it was evident who was the best today.”
Wrapping up the season, Hamlin finished in second place overall, notching six victories, 14 top-five finishes, and 18 top-ten finishes. He led an astonishing 1,024 laps, showcasing his skill and determination throughout the season. However, his average start position of 11.943 and average finish position of 13.971 hint at the challenges he faced along the way.
As the dust settles on a tumultuous season, the question remains: Can Denny Hamlin rise from the ashes of disappointment and finally claim the championship that has eluded him for so long? The racing world will be watching closely as he gears up for another shot at glory in the coming seasons.
