Larson Claims Championship Amidst Hamlin's Heartbreak: A Look at the Aftermath

Phoenix, AZ – The confetti settled on Kyle Larson’s second NASCAR Cup Series championship, but the dominant narrative emerging from Phoenix Raceway was the profound disappointment surrounding Denny Hamlin’s near-miss. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who led a remarkable 208 laps of the 312-lap scheduled event (extended to 318 due to overtime), saw his title hopes evaporate on a late-race caution, a scenario that cast a shadow over Larson’s hard-fought victory.

The pivotal moment occurred when William Byron, also a Championship 4 contender, suffered a tire failure and crashed on lap 308, necessitating a caution that sent the race into overtime. In the ensuing strategic battle, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports team opted for a two-tire pit stop, a gamble that paid off handsomely. Hamlin, conversely, took four tires, a decision that ultimately proved to be the difference-maker as Larson surged ahead on fresher rubber.

This outcome echoed a previous championship showdown between the two drivers. In 2021, Larson also edged out Hamlin for the title in a similarly dramatic fashion, decided by a late caution and a subsequent restart. While Hamlin graciously congratulated Larson on that occasion and even attended a portion of the post-race celebration on Sunday, the sting of another near-victory, especially one where he led such a significant portion of the race, was palpable.

Larson himself acknowledged the uncomfortable reality of his triumph being overshadowed. "The most unfortunate part of how everything went down on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway… is that the bitter defeat of Denny Hamlin superseded any kind of celebration for Kyle Larson," Larson stated. He expressed empathy for Hamlin, recognizing the meticulous performance that ultimately fell short. "I hate that the attention has shifted away from him," Larson admitted. "He’s definitely a deserving champion. There is a difference between ‘deserving’ and ‘should have been’, right? Not one person should question his deserving-ness of being a champion. That’s what I don’t like to see. He is a great friend of mine and I was happy for him. And going to go see him and tell him that was important to me as a friend. I had to separate my feelings from my friendship and go show up."

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The outpouring of sympathy for Hamlin extended across the NASCAR community. Many observers felt that, based on his dominant performance throughout the race, Hamlin "should have been" the champion. William Byron, whose late-race incident triggered the overtime, publicly apologized to Hamlin. "It just doesn’t seem right," Byron commented. "Yeah, I mean, I think just kind of seeing him, he had beat us, and we’re running second, four laps to go, you go into the wall and cause a caution. It sucks, right? I don’t want to be that guy, even if I’m in the Championship 4. Doesn’t really matter. Don’t want to change the outcome. So it sucks."

The sentiment was echoed by champions in the support series. Corey Heim, who secured the Truck Series title, is a development driver for 23XI Racing, a team affiliated with Hamlin’s business ventures. Heim, who grew up a fan of Hamlin, found the outcome difficult to witness. "That was a tough watch," Heim remarked. "I talked to him right before driver intros and he was very confident as he should have been. I grew up a Denny fan, but even if I hadn’t, that was just terrible. That is a terrible way for anyone to lose a championship."

Jesse Love, the Xfinity Series champion and a friend of Hamlin’s through a mentorship program, shared a similar perspective. "That was definitely heartbreaking for sure," Love said. "I saw him after the race, and it was just heartbreaking, even if it’s part of the sport. I do not even remotely know how to process what he must be going through. I feel like growing up and racing with my dad, just like he did, I feel like I understand a little what this would have meant to him. He’s also been a good friend and has given me good advice and I appreciate someone like Denny a lot."

Hamlin, known for his sometimes provocative on-track persona and social media engagement, has often been a polarizing figure. However, the circumstances of this championship loss seemed to garner widespread respect and a degree of sentimentality from fans and competitors alike. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, a fellow Championship 4 finalist, offered words of encouragement. "They really love you," Briscoe told Hamlin, referencing the crowd’s reaction. "I think everyone acknowledges that Denny is an incredible race car driver that is more than deserving to win a championship," Briscoe added. "I mean, if you just look at accolades and stats, I mean, he should be a champion in our sport and I think everybody knows that and wants to see him actually succeed in that. How everyone responded to that after the race, it didn’t surprise me, because it just goes to show the human element of our sport. You look at him huddling with the team, his grief, and how much this obviously meant to him, it didn’t surprise me that people reacted to him the way they have."

Hamlin himself expressed gratitude for the supportive messages, while admitting the difficulty of processing the defeat. "I try to look at it but it’s just pain," Hamlin stated. "I can only look at it for a minute or two before I get in my feelings. I love our fans and they have been very very supportive of me the last few weeks and this weekend. But again, my friend won a championship and I do want to be happy for him too."

The statistical context of Hamlin’s 2024 season underscores the magnitude of his loss. He secured four wins and consistently performed at a high level throughout the playoffs, leading into the championship race as a strong favorite. His career accolades include 52 Cup Series wins, making him one of the most decorated drivers without a Cup Series championship. This latest near-miss adds another chapter to a career often defined by remarkable talent and persistent championship contention, yet a championship trophy remains elusive.

Kyle Larson’s victory marks his second Cup Series title, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s premier talents. His ability to rebound from adversity and execute under pressure has been a hallmark of his career, and his triumph in Phoenix is a testament to that resilience. However, the conversation will undoubtedly continue regarding the dramatic circumstances that shaped the outcome, leaving Hamlin and his supporters to ponder what might have been.