Hamlin Seeks to Crown His Career in the NASCAR Final
Everything is set for Denny Hamlin, recognized as one of NASCAR’s most outstanding drivers without a championship, to seek to break that streak in the season finale. In his twentieth full season, Hamlin secured the pole position at Phoenix Raceway for the final race, where the title will be decided between him, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron and Kyle Larson, both from Hendrick Motorsports. Hamlin, who will lead the starting grid, comes to the race after having won six races this season, the most in the series. His victory in Las Vegas last month, the 60th of his career, secured him a place in the final and has allowed him to prepare calmly.Hamlin, known for his mood swings in previous championship races, has opted for a relaxed approach. He has received support from a group of friends and family who share three rental houses in the Phoenix area. After setting a time of 133.759 mph in his Toyota, Hamlin secures the pole position, giving him the first choice of pit stall, an advantage that could help him avoid speeding penalties. However, there is a possibility that it is at its best too soon.“I think the benefit was winning in Las Vegas because I was able to get a lot of work done before this week. That way, this week isn’t so full,” Hamlin commented.
Denny Hamlin
Larson is the only driver in the final with a title, while Byron, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, is competing in the final for the third consecutive year. Briscoe will make his debut in the title race, and Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, returns to the final for the first time since 2021. Byron and Larson finished second and third, respectively, while Briscoe placed 12th.“I don’t want anything bad to happen to me!”, said Hamlin, hitting the table with a smile, when asked if things were going too well. He has lost the championship on at least six occasions, so it’s not unreasonable to think that his luck could change on Sunday.
Denny Hamlin
“Honestly, I felt like I had a really bad lap,” Briscoe said. “I was a little surprised to be in 12th place.”
Chase Briscoe
This is at least the sixth time in Hamlin’s career that he has the opportunity to win the championship, and so far, he hasn’t achieved it. He has suffered setbacks in previous races, including a spin in the 2010 final and problems in pit stops in subsequent years.
Hamlin has become the public’s favorite to win on Sunday, and even his competitors recognize that a championship for Hamlin would be well received. “Everyone loves a story like that, where someone is nearing the end of their career, all that, I can see why people would root for it,” Larson said. “Obviously, I want to win. But it would be great to see someone who has dedicated so much time to this sport and has been so close so many times. Sixty wins. Tomorrow I’m going to want to beat him badly, but it won’t kill me if he wins.” Briscoe added: “I think it would be a shame, wouldn’t it?, that when he decides to retire, he’s the best who never won, right? I think everyone knows he’s more than capable.” Hamlin arrives at the championship race after a crew chief change in the offseason that he opposed. Hamlin, who is tied for tenth on the all-time wins list, has been pursuing this achievement as a personal consolation prize for not having a Cup title, and wanted to achieve it before his father, who has a serious health problem, passed away. Hamlin stated that he wants to win on Sunday because, “I know this is my last chance for my father to see it. I don’t want him to leave without being able to see that moment.”
