Denny Hamlin had another opportunity on Sunday to shed the frustrating label of never having won a NASCAR Cup Series championship. Heading into the championship race in Phoenix at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, Hamlin boasts 60 career wins, tying him for 10th all-time with Kevin Harvick. Among these wins are three Daytona 500 victories, only surpassed by legends Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough.
Despite this success, the 44-year-old Hamlin is still pursuing his first Cup title, and Sunday’s championship could be his best chance yet. He enters as the betting favorite at +200, ahead of competitors Kyle Larson (+250), William Byron (+260), and Chase Briscoe (+375). Notably, all drivers above Hamlin in career wins hold at least one championship, except Harvick and Bobby Allison, both with just one title. Hamlin is also among the few in the top 30 for career victories without a Cup championship.
This won’t be Hamlin’s first shot at the title—he finished second in points in 2010 and is now competing for the championship in NASCAR’s winner-takes-all format for the fifth time. On Thursday, Hamlin shared with The Associated Press that this might be his father Dennis’s last chance to witness him win the championship, as Dennis is seriously ill at 75.
Dennis Hamlin has been a major influence on Denny’s racing career, having introduced him to the sport at age five and made substantial sacrifices to support his dreams, including financial hardships. Denny expressed relief that his father made it to his 60th win in Las Vegas earlier this fall, which secured his place in the championship race.
If Hamlin wins Sunday, he may receive the championship trophy while still embroiled in a legal battle with NASCAR involving himself, Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports. Settlement talks are ongoing but no closer to resolution, with the lawsuit scheduled for trial on December 1.
Throughout his career, Hamlin has faced several heartbreaking near-misses in his quest for the title:
- 2010: Despite winning eight races and leading the points for a time, Hamlin’s fuel mismanagement late in the season and a damaging crash in the final race left him second to Jimmie Johnson.
- 2014: Hamlin was one of four finalists in NASCAR’s inaugural winner-take-all race but lost the lead late due to late cautions and tire advantages for others, finishing eighth.
- 2019: Winning six races earned Hamlin pole position for the championship race, but engine overheating caused by grill tape forced a costly pit stop and a 12th-place finish.
- 2020: Phoenix hosted its first winner-take-all title race, where Hamlin did not lead any laps and finished fourth behind the top contenders.
- 2021: Again at Phoenix, Hamlin didn’t lead any laps in the title race and finished third, with the eventual champion defending his title in a strong finish.
Fan Take: This championship race is more than just a title pursuit for Denny Hamlin—it’s a deeply personal moment that fans have followed for over a decade. A victory would not only finally crown one of NASCAR’s most talented drivers but also inspire a poignant story of perseverance and family dedication that resonates with fans and adds richness to the sport’s legacy.
