Denny Hamlin was cruising to the 2025 NASCAR championship when a late race caution roadblocked that path
On Sunday, Phoenix Raceway hosted the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Four drivers were in a battle for the title at the drop of the green flag.
With just 10 laps to go, Denny Hamlin was leading by 2.5 seconds. His first championship trophy was in sight.
With 4 laps to go, William Byron blew a tire and found the outside wall. That brought out a caution and sent the race into overtime.
Due to high tire wear, most of the field elected to head for pit lane. Kyle Larson and many others took just 2 tires.
Hamlin took four fresh tires. However, he restarted 10th.
On the green flag, Hamlin was able to pull even with Larson. But, Larson had momentum exiting the corner via the outside lane.
Hamlin was unable to get to the bumper of Larson. He came up three positions short of the championship
Kyle Larson is the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Denny Hamlin went on to lead 208 laps in the race.
Denny Hamlin comments
“What can you do? Just not meant to be,” said Hamlin.
“I don’t know,” said Hamlin as he sat down. “I really don’t have much for emotion right now. Just numb about it ’cause just in shock. That’s about it.”
“We’re 40 seconds from a championship. I don’t know. It’s just unfortunate.”
“I did the best I could. You know. I — there’s just, everything I prepared for, happened today. And I felt like we responded.”
“Losing track position at one point, and just battling back, and you know, I did really well on restarts, did well on restarts the bulk of the year. And just, yeah, the team brought a great championship car, and I felt like I drove it just right up until two laps to go. And so, this is the part that stings.”
“In this moment, I never want to race a car again,” Hamlin added. “My fun meter is pegged.”
Phoenix Race Results: November 2, 2025 (NASCAR Championship)
