Denny Hamlin appeared to be well on his way to victory and that elusive Cup crown. Then a caution came out with less than three laps remaining. And then there was a four-tire pit call that ended up with Hamlin losing out to Larson, who took two tires.

Denny Hamlin said Tuesday that he needed time to process his defeat in Sunday's Cup Series championship race before getting back in a car.

Denny Hamlin reflects on his painful NASCAR championship loss at Phoenix, saying he “needs time” after seeing his title hopes slip away.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway was a battle of Joe Gibbs Racing versus Hendrick Motorsports to determine the season champion: JGR’s Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe against HMS’ William Byron and Kyle Larson.

Denny Hamlin says he’s doing as well as one would expect two days after losing the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.“There is not a whole lot of second-guessing, I would say,” Hamlin said.

The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team entered the race as the clear favorite, with Hamlin leading 208 laps and appearing set to finally capture his first NASCAR Cup Series title.

The 20-year veteran driver won pole at Phoenix Raceway for Sunday’s winner-take-all NASCAR championship finale.

Denny Hamlin pondered the idea of whether or not he would step away from full-time NASCAR competition if he were to win the Cup Series championship on Sunday (Nov.