“I Don’t Want to Be That Guy!” William Byron Apologizes to Denny Hamlin over the Costly finale caution
William Byron is extremely apologetic for his incident at the Phoenix Raceway that caused Denny Hamlin to lose the 2025 title win.
        Denny Hamlin (via Getty), William Byron (via Imagn)
🔍 Explore this post with:
Denny Hamlin was unable to emerge victorious in the championship finale at Phoenix against Kyle Larson. In the final stages of the race, a botched pit stop call and an untimely caution proved to be problematic for Hamlin.
The JGR Veteran was left shattered after his championship loss this year, as he looked very promising to finally achieve one. Now, William Byron apologizes to the 44-year-old after being the one who caused the final caution.
In the final stages of the race, William Byron couldn’t quite control his car and slammed into the wall at Turns 3 and 4. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin pitted for four fresh tires as compared to others, who opted for either two fresh tires or staying out completely. Hamlin couldn’t quite gain the lost positions back and ultimately lost the title win to Kyle Larson.
William Byron accepted his blunder that cost Denny Hamlin the title win without the latter even being at fault. Byron acknowledged that the situation just did not seem right. The Regular Season winner highlighted that Hamlin had the rivals beat in the Championship-4, and they were running second to him. Meanwhile, the #24 driver hit the wall and resulting in a caution being called before ultimately finishing in P33.
Further, William Byron accepted that the situation sucked for him and especially for Denny Hamlin. Byron noted that he didn’t want to be the guy who cost others their championship win in the Championship-4, even if he was in the title fight. However, he ultimately highlighted that his regret wouldn’t change the outcome of the championship winner and ended his comments.
It just doesn’t seem right, Yeah, I mean, I think just kind of seeing him, he had beat us, and we’re running second, four laps to go, you go into the wall and cause a caution. It sucks, right? I don’t want to be that guy, even if I’m in the Championship 4. Doesn’t really matter. Don’t want to change the outcome. So it sucks.
William Byron said, as reported by motorsport.com.
William Byron explains how his incident took place at Phoenix
Throughout the Phoenix race, William Byron was running decently. However, he did not really have a shot at winning the title against Denny Hamlin as the latter was simply outclassed on track. Byron took a look back at the race and what actually happened when he crashed into the wall and called out the cautions.

William Byron recalled that he felt something funny in his car during the lap when he crashed his car into the wall. The #24 driver was himself trying to predict if the problem was being caused because of the tires.
Byron pointed out that he was trying to understand if it was the left rear or the right rear. However, until he hit the brakes in Turn 3, he lost control of the car and couldn’t stop it from hitting the wall and calling out a tire caution.
Yeah, I felt something a little funny on that lap, Was trying to figure out if it was a tire. I guess we were coming to three laps to go. I was trying to figure out left rear, right rear. About the time I hit the brakes into three, it laid down on the right side of the car and went straight. Yeah, I was hoping it would be a left rear so I could kind of get back.
William Byron noted.
Certainly, Denny Hamlin was not pleased with the outcome of the race and would definitely not be happy with William Byron’s antics. The Veteran was extremely heartbroken at the end of the race and will need some time to gather himself back. For now, Hamlin can rest after finishing one of the greatest seasons in the history of NASCAR.
Also Read: (Video) Jesse Love “Doesn’t Really Give a S**t” About Criticism over His Xfinity Championship Win