Kyle Larson Expresses Empathy for Denny Hamlin's Heartbreak in NASCAR Championship Stumble

The raw emotions and palpable tension following the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway were a stark testament to the high stakes of the finale. The four championship contenders, their dedicated fanbases, and the entire NASCAR industry had been subjected to a dramatic rollercoaster of events throughout the afternoon. At various critical junctures, it appeared as though each driver’s aspirations for the coveted title were slipping away.

Among the championship hopefuls, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe each encountered significant setbacks, including flat tires that necessitated unscheduled pit stops and sent them through the field. However, Denny Hamlin consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience and pace, repeatedly fighting his way back into the top 10, notably overtaking William Byron in his relentless pursuit of the elusive championship. Hamlin’s ability to advance through the field became a recurring theme of the race, underscoring the exceptional performance of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and his own prowess behind the wheel when the pressure was at its peak.

The pivotal moment that ultimately shaped the championship outcome revolved around a critical pit stop decision for the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of William Byron. With just three laps remaining in regulation, Byron’s right-rear tire failed, sending him into the wall and bringing out a caution that forced the race into overtime. This caution presented Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 team, led by crew chief Chris Gayle, with a strategic dilemma. Having no tires left on pit road, they were forced to make a choice: either take no tires and risk being vulnerable on restarts, or opt for a gamble.

Meanwhile, Kyle Larson and his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, had a limited set of scuffed tires from qualifying, which they elected to mount on the right side of their No. 5 Chevrolet. This decision, credited to the team’s engineers, was a calculated risk aimed at providing just enough grip for the overtime restart. Daniels acknowledged the crucial input from his team, stating, "I give a lot of credit to those guys because they pushed me in that moment to see what you’re asking of that’s almost the call that we have to make to get ourselves up front and to give ourselves a shot."

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The data indicated that taking four fresh tires, as Gayle opted for Hamlin’s car, was the optimal strategy, with the belief that the increased grip would allow Hamlin to overcome the 10th-place starting position for the restart. However, the execution of this strategy did not unfold as planned. The track position battle intensified, with Larson’s decision to take only right-side tires proving more effective. "Once we got the final caution, we knew it was going to be a green-white-checkered, that decision almost made itself because Kyle in our code words had already called it out to me, that told me he was already going to have confidence and belief if we did it, he felt he had enough under him to go make it happen," Daniels explained.

The strategic gamble by Larson’s team mirrored a similar situation in the Truck Series race earlier in the weekend, where Corey Heim’s two-tire strategy ultimately did not yield the desired result. In Sunday’s Cup Series finale, the gap that Gayle had hoped for on the track did not materialize. Hamlin found himself boxed in, with air being taken off his car’s nose, and Larson capitalized on the open lanes, driving away to secure his second Cup Series championship in five years.

The emotional aftermath on pit road was a study in contrasts. Tears flowed freely from Hamlin, his wife Jordan Fish, and their children, as Hamlin embraced his crew. Several Joe Gibbs Racing officials and their families were visibly distraught, reflecting the profound disappointment of a championship that had seemed within reach. This scene stood in stark opposition to the jubilation on the other side of the pit wall, where Larson and his team celebrated a hard-fought victory, the palpable difference in atmosphere underscoring the emotional weight of the championship outcome.

Gayle, reflecting on the critical pit stop decision, admitted the difficulty of the choice. "For a second I could think, ‘oh, well if I took two tires,’ I don’t know if that would have worked," he stated. "The 5 was doing it, this was their only shot. Really, it was going to dictate on just how many other cars stayed and fit in between you. I think four tires was the right call, it just didn’t get clear on the bottom, and I thought for a split second we were. The 5 got the outside and we were just boxed in with chaos."

Hamlin, characterized as despondent following the race, expressed his shock and numbness. "I really don’t have much for emotion right now," Hamlin said approximately 20 minutes after exiting his car. "Just numb about it because I’m just in shock. That’s about it." Having competed in the Cup Series since 2006 and amassing 60 victories, Hamlin has experienced numerous near misses in his quest for a championship, with this latest setback adding another layer of heartbreak to his distinguished career.

"Well, I mean, we were 40 seconds from a championship," Hamlin continued, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I don’t know. It’s just unfortunate. The only difference before is the cautions came maybe a little sooner than that. I don’t know. Gosh, you work so hard. This sport can drive you absolutely crazy ’cause sometimes speed, talent, all that stuff, just does not matter." This sentiment reflects a broader discussion within NASCAR about the championship format, with potential adjustments being considered for future seasons to better account for season-long performance and race dominance.

Larson, who secured his championship victory despite not having the dominant car for much of the race, acknowledged the complex emotions of the situation. "I definitely have a lot of empathy for him," Larson commented, referring to Hamlin. "I said it I think in the interview I did on the stage. It’s great to celebrate and all that, but it does feel a little awkward because he has put so much time and energy, has been so close to winning so many championships. This is as close as he’s ever been." He further added, "Sure he’s a competitor, but he is a friend. I was going to be happy for him to win. That’s kind of what I was thinking about. Like, man, I can’t wait to go tell him, ‘Good job.’ Then the caution came out and the script flipped right there, so…"

Larson suggested that even Hamlin’s most vocal critics might feel a degree of sympathy for his repeated near misses. "Sure I’m happy but there’s definitely a piece of me that is sad for him, as well," Larson stated. "I’m sure all of us in here, even the Denny haters, I’m sure there’s a spot where they’re sad, too. That’s competition. That’s the format. It’s just weird, you know? But yeah, I still hope someday he can get to feel what it’s like."

The emotional toll of the championship loss was evident in Hamlin’s immediate post-race remarks, where he expressed a potential weariness with the sport. "Golly, in this moment I never want to race a car ever again," Hamlin admitted. "I mean, my fun meter is pegged." With two years remaining on his current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin’s future racing decisions will be closely watched by the NASCAR community.