Hamlin Seeks to Crown His Career in the NASCAR Final
Everything is set for Denny Hamlin, in his twentieth full season, to shed the label of the best NASCAR driver without a championship. Hamlin, who won the pole at Phoenix Raceway for the NASCAR championship final, will face Chase Briscoe, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, William Byron, and Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson. Hamlin will lead the final race of a season in which he obtained six victories, the most in the series. His triumph in Las Vegas last month was the 60th of his career, securing him a place in the final and allowing him to prepare for three weeks.Hamlin has remained calm and in good spirits, sharing the week with about 30 friends and family members staying in three rental houses in the Phoenix area. After Hamlin set a lap of 133.759 mph in his Toyota, securing the first starting position, expectations are high. However, there’s a chance he’s peaking too early. Hamlin has lost the championship at least six times, which raises uncertainty about his luck in Sunday’s race.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 busy.
Denny Hamlin
Larson is the only driver in the final with a title, while Byron, two-time Daytona 500 winner, returns to the final for the third consecutive year. Briscoe will make his debut in the title race, and Hamlin, three-time Daytona 500 winner, returns for the first time since 2021. Byron and Larson finished second and third respectively, while Briscoe placed 12th.You can only control the things you can control. Obviously, we will do our best for 312 laps. I hope it will be enough.
Denny Hamlin
This is at least the sixth time Hamlin has had the opportunity to win the championship, and so far, he has not been successful. There have been problems such as a spin, poor pit stops, and strategic failures. It has become the favorite, and even his competitors recognize that a championship for Hamlin would be well received.I honestly felt like it was a really bad lap that I did. I was a little surprised that it was even 12th, to a certain extent.
Chase Briscoe
Briscoe added:Everyone likes a story like that, where someone is nearing the end of their career, all that, I can see why people would root for him. 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.
Kyle Larson
Hamlin arrives at the championship race after a crew chief change in the offseason that he opposed. Chris Gayle was assigned to Hamlin while Chris Gabehart was moved to management. However, Gayle adapted quickly and has driven a car to the final for the first time in her career.I think it would be a shame, wouldn’t it?, if when he decides to hang it up, it were the best he’s ever won, right? I think everyone knows he’s more than capable.
Chase Briscoe
Hamlin’s 60th victory tied him for 10th on the all-time wins list. Hamlin desperately seeks this title, as he is aware that it could be the last chance for his father to see him win. Hamlin stated that he wants to win on Sunday because: I know for sure that this is my last chance for my father to see it. I don’t want him to leave and never get to see the moment.There are four really good cars, really good teams, really good team bosses. I just want to win the race and be the champion. It’s not necessarily something for me to come and get for Denny. Would it be extra sweet with Denny just because I know what he’s been through and has been close? Yes. I don’t know if that changes anything.
Chris Gayle
