Kyle Petty Declares Denny Hamlin Won’t Get Another “Shot at the Championship” in NASCAR

The 2025 NASCAR season finale witnessed Denny Hamlin’s championship winning getting shattered in an overtime drama, making it the sixth time the veteran has lost the championship in heart-wrenching ways. He was dominant this season and the most deserving racer to win the title, which according to ex-racer Kyle Petty that last shot he will ever have.

On his latest appearance on the Performance Racing Network Fast Talk podcast, Kyle Petty shared his thoughts on the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, who lost the championship to Kye Larson. He pointed out that Denny Hamlin is going to get over the disappointment soon, but the hurt he felt will bug him for a longtime.

He will get over it. But it’s going to follow him forever. And this is gonna be that footnote… where it said what could have been what might have been when you look at it.

Kyle Petty said via Fast Talk podcast on PRN.

The 2025 season witnessed the veteran marking history, securing his 60^th career wins. Petty expects this race winning form to continue for the No:11 team and he have no doubt about the TRD driver creating more career milestone.

But when it comes to winning championship, he has missed out on the last opportunity he has. The JGR driver, who is contracted to drive till 2027 has two more years to prove Kyle Petty wrong.

I think when you look at that, but at the same time, and I just think he’s got more wins in him. He’s got more wins. There’s no doubt he’s got more wins. I just don’t believe at this point in time he’s got more shots at championships.

Kyle Petty added.

Denny Hamlin responds to his loss overshadowing Kyle Larson’s triumph

One of the major narratives coming into the finale weekend was Denny Hamlin potentially winning the championship and the major narrative after the race was the JGR veteran’s failure. This overshadowed the impressive victory of Kyle Larson and the TRD racer addressed this at the banquet. Though he loves the support from his fans, he has some concerns about it.

I mean, I’ve looked at it, and obviously it’s more pain. I try to look at it for a little bit and then I just stop, because it just, it does get into my feelings a little bit. But I love our fan base. I mean, I think that they certainly have been very, very supportive of me over the last really few weeks, and my fans for quite some time.

Denny Hamlin said.

The three times Daytona 500 winner happy with the support, but is torn about a close friend becoming a multi-time champion and not being celebrated enough. But he understands sometimes these situations are part of the sport.

But yeah, I’m a bit torn as well because also my friend won the championship, and it’s not being talked about that much. But I think that sometimes people have a tipping point, right?

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from the Joe Gibbs Racing shows how much he respects the sports as well as other drivers. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the veteran driver in the coming years.

Also Read: Denny Hamlin Blasts “Undeserving Champion” Narrative Over Kyle Larson’s 2025 Triumph