NASCAR: Empathy in a selfish sport? The duality of drivers after victory.

In the Phoenix circuit, on November 2, 2025, Kyle Larson celebrated his second NASCAR Cup Series championship with his Hendrick Motorsports team. However, joy was mixed with a deep empathy for his rival, Denny Hamlin. Larson, after the celebration, shared how Hamlin’s situation gave him mixed feelings. He understood Hamlin’s pain, who had dominated the race but saw the championship vanish in the final laps due to a tire strategy that favored Larson.

I felt really bad for Denny Hamlin. It’s a very competitive business, but also very tough.

Zane Smith

Hamlin’s experience, in his twentieth season and with his father’s health at stake, resonated with other drivers. Ross Chastain, although he generally doesn’t feel sorry for his competitors, made an exception for Hamlin. Brad Keselowski, with years of experience in the Cup Series, acknowledged that empathy towards other drivers increases with time and one’s own experiences. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also admitted to feeling sorry for Hamlin, despite his general stance of not feeling sorry for anyone. NASCAR, despite being a competitive sport, is based on a community where participants share every weekend and coexist in the paddock. Although the rivalry is intense, the drivers and teams develop close relationships. Zane Smith pointed out that, although it’s difficult to have close friends in this environment, Hamlin’s situation provoked a reaction of astonishment and empathy. In short, although NASCAR is a business where individual success is paramount, there are times when drivers show compassion and empathy for their rivals, recognizing the effort and dedication that this sport entails.