Hamlin seeks to be crowned in the NASCAR final
Denny Hamlin, in his 20th season, is poised to shed his label as the best NASCAR driver without a championship. Hamlin secured the pole position at Phoenix Raceway for the NASCAR championship final, 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 will lead the race after winning six races this season, including his victory in Las Vegas last month, the 60th of his career. This victory secured his place in the final, giving him three weeks to prepare mentally and physically for the most important race of his life.Hamlin has remained calm, treating the week like any other in Phoenix, although with more people. He has a large group of friends and family sharing three rental houses in the area.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 as busy.
Hamlin
After setting a time of 133.759 mph in his Toyota, Hamlin secured the first position on the grid, giving him the advantage of choosing his pit lane position, a decision that could reduce the chances of speeding penalties. Despite this, Hamlin is not complacent and jokes about the possibility of everything going too well.
Larson is the only driver of the finalist group who already has a title, while Byron, two-time Daytona 500 winner, competes in the final for the third consecutive year. Briscoe will make his debut in the title race, and Hamlin, three-time Daytona 500 winner and considered the best NASCAR driver without a championship, returns to the final for the first time since 2021. Byron and Larson qualified in second and third place respectively, while Briscoe finished in 12th place.I feel that, honestly, it was a very bad lap that I did. I was a little surprised that it was even 12th place.
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. Hamlin has become the public’s favorite, and even his competitors recognize that a championship for Hamlin would be well received.
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 it. 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 kick his ass, but it won’t kill me if he wins.
Larson
Hamlin heads into the championship race after a crew chief change in the preseason. Despite his initial reservations, the new crew chief, Gayle, has adapted quickly and has brought a car to the final for the first time in his career.I think it would be a shame, wouldn’t it?, if when he decides to hang it up, he were the best of all time who has never won, right? I think everyone knows he’s more than capable.
Briscoe
Hamlin’s 60th victory tied him for 10th on the all-time wins list. Hamlin has been pursuing this milestone with urgency, as it was his personal consolation prize for not having a Cup title and he 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 for sure that this is my last chance for my father to see it. I don’t want him to leave without seeing 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 that I come and give to Denny. Would it be sweeter with Denny just because I know what he’s been through and has been close? Yes. I don’t know if that changes anything.
Gayle
