Denny Hamlin Is Determined to Perform at Phoenix Despite Massive 2025 Finale Heartbreak

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts the challenges ahead of him at Phoenix, as he set for a return.

Denny Hamlin Is Determined to Perform at Phoenix Despite Massive 2025 Finale Heartbreak

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series finale produced the biggest heartbreak moment in ever in Denny Hamlin’s career. He led a record 208 laps in the event and was just two laps away from securing a dominant when William Byron blew his tires and brought out a caution. That’s when the No:11 team made a massive mistake.

The Joe Gibbs Racing crew decided to pit for four tires instead of two, while Kyle Larson went for a quick stop. It was enough advantage for the Hendrick Motorsports driver to secure the championship by finishing as the best final-4 racer. Going into this weekend’s race, he has the disappointing moments on the back of his mind.

When asked about his feelings about the return, Denny Hamlin pointed out that he had a really tough weekend last time at the track and but at the same time the performance till the final lap disappointments gives him an edge. He has high expectations for the race weekend and is hoping that the track is the same as it been last season.

Yeah, I mean, it certainly was a tough weekend we had there. But, you know, for us, it’s about can we go out there and have another strong performance, you know, and hopefully didn’t lose anything in the offseason. So, I think we should go there and have high expectations.

Denny Hamlin told Jeff Gluck of The Athletic.

The disappointing the championship loss was the start of one of the most challenging periods of Denny Hamlin’s life. He had to gone through an ugly charter lawsuit in the off-season and also loss his father in a tragic housefire. The veteran also reinjured his shoulders and it yet to fully recover from it, making it the toughest off-season he has ever had.

Denny Hamlin got a huge confidence boost at COTA

The start of 2026 season hasn’t reflected the tough journey yet though, as the No:11 team has had some good runs including a solid top-10 finish at COTA, a track they rarely perform. His 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick winning three straight races is a big positive and his slowly getting back to race winning form gives him a lot of confidence.

Denny Hamlin (via Imago)
Denny Hamlin (via Imago)

It’s not a win, but it’s a top five on another racetrack. A top three. You know what I mean? Like, a win is big. You don’t get them that often. I don’t get top 10s on road courses often. But still a win on the weekend.

Denny Hamlin said via Dale Jr. Download.

Furthermore, the JGR veteran pointed out that COTA was one of the better executions to a RC weekend he has had in a long-time. One reason behind the good finish was the fact that he was able to drive clean in almost all laps of the race.

It was a good weekend. Truthfully, I felt like it was one of the better executed races that I’d had on a road course. Again, really concentrating on not having these one-off laps that are three or four seconds behind because I blew a corner.

Denny Hamlin added.

The good run gives a lot of confidence and much needed momentum for Hamlin, who is looking to redeem himself by winning the championship. He is currently 126 points behind leader Reddick and he needs get back to the victory lane sooner than later to remain the chase.

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