Title: Kyle Larson’s Heartfelt Confession: “I Feel Bad and Sad” for Denny Hamlin After Championship Triumph
In a gripping finale that left fans on the edge of their seats, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports clinched his second Cup Series championship on November 2, 2025, but the victory came tinged with an unexpected emotional twist. During a post-race interview, Larson candidly expressed feelings of sympathy for his rival, Denny Hamlin, who faced a heartbreaking end to his championship hopes.
Larson, who took to the track in his formidable #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1, started strong, qualifying in third position. However, it was Hamlin, piloting the #11 Toyota Camry XSE, who seized the pole position with a blistering lap time of 26.91 seconds and a top speed of 133.76 mph at the one-mile track. Both drivers showed stellar consistency, maintaining their places within the top five throughout the race’s first two stages.
But the tide turned dramatically for Hamlin during the critical final pit stop. Opting for four tires when the rest of the field chose just two, Hamlin’s decision proved disastrous, sealing his fate and extinguishing his championship dreams. Larson seized the moment, ultimately finishing in third place, while Hamlin crossed the line in sixth, a position that left him devastated.
Reflecting on the intense competition and his rival’s unfortunate circumstance, Larson remarked, “There’s definitely a large part of me that feels really bad and sad.” His words echoed the sentiments of many who witnessed the race, highlighting the deep respect that exists between the two fierce competitors.
Adding to the drama, Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, made headlines of his own by skipping the media day prior to the championship showdown. In a candid admission, Daniels explained that he was preoccupied with fixing issues that arose during practice, which caused him to lose track of time. “Kyle and I were completely locked into what we had going on,” he stated. “Before I knew it, I missed our time. My apologies for that.”
Despite the behind-the-scenes hiccups, Larson and Daniels have forged a powerful partnership since 2021, leading to multiple victories and now two championship titles. Daniels further noted, “Kyle feels pretty comfortable in the car. We were trying to find the right look at short-run speed and then capture a runner who really focused on the medium-to long-run pace.”
As the dust settles on this thrilling championship race, Kyle Larson’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Denny Hamlin’s misfortune serves as a poignant reminder of the fierce yet respectful nature of competitive racing. Fans will be left wondering what the next season holds for both drivers as they prepare to battle it out for supremacy once again. The racing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this compelling rivalry.
