Devastation. Heartbreak. Utter disbelief. Denny Hamlin's post-race interview painted a vivid picture of a championship snatched away in the blink of an eye. But how does this loss compare to his past disappointments? Let's dive in.
"This cut is deep," Hamlin admitted, a sentiment that echoed the raw emotion of the moment. He didn't mince words, emphasizing the profound impact of this particular defeat. "No way, not even close. This one’s deep."
Imagine putting in the work, leading the pack, and seemingly having victory within your grasp, only to have it slip away in the final moments. That's the reality Hamlin faced at Phoenix. He led the most laps, appearing poised to claim the coveted winner-takes-all title.
But here's where it gets controversial... A late-race caution, triggered by William Byron's misfortune, reshuffled the deck. The ensuing pit stop strategy proved decisive. Hamlin opted for four new tires, while his rival, Larson, took only two. This seemingly small decision had monumental consequences. Larson, benefiting from the track position gained, surged ahead to secure the championship, leaving Hamlin to grapple with the agonizing 'what ifs'.
The post-race conversation largely centered on Hamlin's heartbreaking loss. And this is the part most people miss... Larson's victory, while significant, was almost overshadowed by the drama surrounding Hamlin.
"I’m a bit torn as well, because my friend won the championship and it’s not being talked about that much," Hamlin confessed, highlighting the bittersweet nature of the situation. He recounted the final moments, expressing his surprise at Larson's sudden appearance. "I think the first time, and no disrespect to them, I don’t think I saw them until the white flag lap," he said.
Hamlin's account painted a picture of a race dominated by his performance, only to be undone in the final moments. "I can’t remember a lap where he was ahead of me at any point of the race. I remember seeing him for the very first time right after we took the white in the dog leg when I went down." The shock of seeing Larson in contention was palpable. "I looked up, because they told me on the back stretch with two to go, the #5 is pinned on the outside. I thought he was one of the cars I was clearing in three and four. So when I saw him, I knew then that it was over. I had only about a half a lap to say, ‘Oh my god, he’s going to win’.”
He continued, reflecting on his performance: "I think that’s where the shock came from just doing all the right things. Even the pit road metric. I felt like I did my job everywhere. Even beat everyone for most if not all of the scheduled distance. We went longer and unfortunately on that last lap I saw my fate right in front of me.”
Hamlin's dejection was evident. He was a picture of disappointment, offering occasional chuckles of disbelief. The weight of the loss seemed to hang heavy on his shoulders. The media's questions focused on whether this defeat could be a breaking point.
"Where I feel like I’ve gotten better with age is just being able to move onto the next thing," he shared, showing a glimmer of resilience. "I can’t imagine having to go through the process I went through to prepare for that race, doing it all over again. I just don’t see how there’s any other way.”
When asked about his plans for the 2026 Cup Series, Hamlin confirmed his intention to return, but acknowledged the need for time to process the loss. "I plan to. I have a contract to, but, at this point, there’s absolutely no way that I would even… I don’t even think about a race right now,” he said. "I’m going to need some time on this one. I’ll get over it, it’s just going to take a minute.”
Do you think the pit stop strategy was the deciding factor? Was Larson's win overshadowed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
