Clint Bowyer Brands Denny Hamlin 2025 Championship Loss as the “Worse Heart Breaker” in NASCAR History

Ex-rivals Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick are gutted for Denny Hamlin, as the JGR veteran lost the 2025 Cup champion over a late caution.

Clint Bowyer Brands Denny Hamlin 2025 Championship Loss as the “Worse Heart Breaker” in NASCAR History

Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin (Via dailydownforce.com and IMAGO)

Coming into the 2025 Championship-4 race, the NASCAR community had one question, will this be the year Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin ends his championship drought? Unfortunately, lady luck bailed on his on the final stretch yet again, with a late caution and pit stop mishap giving Kyle Larson the opportunity to secure his second career title.  

With just two laps left in the race, Denny Hamlin was comfortably leading the race. But that’s when William Byron slammed into the wall due to a tire failure, sending the race to overtime. Hamlin lost significant number spots in the pit-stop after they made a found tier stop unlike his rival, that eventually cost him.

Ex-RCR driver and rival of Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer shared his thoughts about the results on social media. He is pumped about Kyle Larson who won the Bill France Cup winner, despite not leading a single lap in the finale. At the same time, he is gutted for the JGR driver as he sees this loss as one of the most heartbreaking moments of the sports’ history.

I [be] damned…so pumped for [Kyle Larson]. However…I’m not sure there’s ever been a worse heart breaker in [NASCAR] than what Hamlin just experienced.

Clint Bowyer wrote on X.

Another RCR driver, 2014 champion Kevin Harvick also took to X to share his thoughts on the results. He congratulated Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson for their maiden title in the Next-Gen era, ending the Team Penske dominance. At the same time, he is gutted for his former rival Denny Hamlin over the loss.

Well, lots to talk about on [Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour]. Gutted for [Denny Hamlin]. Congratulations [Kyle Larson] and [Hendrick Motorsports].

Kevin Harvick wrote on X.

Denny Hamlin is feeling numb about the championship loss

On his post-race interview, Denny Hamlin was open about the heartbreak he is experiencing. He admitted that emotionally he was feeling numb after the losing the title, after coming 40 seconds close to securing his maiden Bill France Cup.  

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

What can you do? Just not meant to be. I don’t know. I really don’t have much for emotion right now. Just numb about it ’cause just in shock. That’s about it… We’re 40 seconds from a championship. I don’t know. It’s just unfortunate.

Denny Hamlin told the media after the race.

Further talking about the point, he highlighted how wild and unpredictable NASCAR can be, with caution and overtime. He pointed out that the results proves sometimes speed and talent wont matter in a race.

The only difference before is the cautions came maybe a little sooner than that. I don’t know. Gosh, you work so hard. This sport can drive you absolutely crazy ’cause sometimes speed, talent, all that stuff, just does not matter.

Denny Hamlin added.

The veteran drivers, just like many of his fans as well as even his haters are disappointed with results on Sunday. At the same time Kyle Larson won the race fair and square, hence the No:5 team deserves all the credit and appreciation as well. With or without the champion, Denny Hamlin will always be one of the NASCAR grates.

Also Read: Empathic Kyle Larson “Is Sad for Denny Hamlin” After 2025 Championship Triumph