Denny Hamlin “needs some time” to get over the Phoenix heartbreaker

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was featured in an interview with NASCAR analyst Jeff Gluck at the post-championship party. During the interaction, Hamlin opened up about his plans to return to the series next year after the Phoenix heartbreak.

Despite dominating the 319-lap race at Phoenix Raceway, the #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver lost his chance to secure his maiden Cup Series championship this season. Hamlin was the fastest driver on the grid and clinched the pole position and won stage two of the race. However, this was not enough to secure his first-ever Cup Series championship title.

Denny Hamlin led the most laps (208) in the 319-lap race, but his last pit call changed the outcome of the race. The #11 Toyota driver opted for four tires while everyone else changed two. This decision cost Hamlin multiple positions and gave Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson a lead over him. Ultimately, Larson crossed the finish line ahead of the JGR driver and clinched his second championship title.

Reflecting on the Phoenix heartbreak, the NASCAR veteran told the stock car racing analyst that he needed some time and stated:

"I mean, I plan to. I have a contract to, but at this point, there's just absolutely no way that I would even -- I don't even think about race cars right now. I'm gonna need some time on this one."

Denny Hamlin further highlighted that the off-season is a bit longer ahead of the 2026 Cup Series season, and he will get over the Phoenix heartbreak. The first race of the next season, Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, is scheduled for Feburary 1, 2026.

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“Not meant to be”: Denny Hamlin expressed his disappointment over the Phoenix race

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin had a dominating season this year but still fell short of the championship title. While Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson secured the 2025 title, crossing the finish line ahead of Hamlin on November 2, 2025, at Phoenix Raceway.

Later, the #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver expressed his disappointment, ending another season without the championship title. Following that, Hamlin told the press:

“Yeah, nothing I can do different. Prepared as good as I could coming into the weekend. My team gave me a fantastic car. Just didn’t work out. I was just praying for no caution. Had one there. What can you do? Just not meant to be."

Continuing further, Denny Hamlin also talked about his last pit call and explained:

“We took four tires. I thought that definitely was the right call. Just so many cars took two there. Obviously put us back. Team did a fantastic job. They prepared a championship car. Just didn’t happen. I’ll try (to win a title again). I got a couple more shots at it," he added.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver finished the 319-lap race in sixth place and lost his chance at the Cup Series championship title. While the #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driver, Kyle Larson, was three spots ahead of him in third place, he won the title.

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Edited by Karan Yadav