Kyle Larson won his second NASCAR title on Sunday, but even he didn't feel right seeing another championship slip through Denny Hamlin's fingers.
Kyle Larson denied Denny Hamlin his first career championship when a late caution at Phoenix Raceway sent the title-deciding finale into overtime.
On Saturday in Avondale, Arizona, in front of an entourage of about 30 friends and family, Denny Hamlin, in search of his first NASCAR title in his 20th full season, won the pole at Phoenix Raceway for Sunday's winner-take-all NASCAR championship finale.
Just four drivers are left standing in NASCAR's 2025 playoffs, and come Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, one of them will be crowned Cup Series champion.
Denny Hamlin became the first driver to lock in a spot in NASCAR's championship-deciding finale, winning Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his career-goal 60th Cup Series triumph.
Cooler heads have prevailed inside Joe Gibbs Racing following last week's run-in between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs.
Denny Hamlin won from the pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway, playing the strategy perfectly to lead the final 25 laps in his series-high fifth victory this season.
Denny Hamlin remained perfect in qualifying during the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, capturing the pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway.