Denny Hamlin's emotional victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway wasn't just another win; it was a powerful statement silencing doubters and securing his spot in the NASCAR championship finale! Can he finally break the curse and claim his first Cup title?
On October 12, 2025, before a roaring crowd in Las Vegas, Denny Hamlin (you can find more about him on his ESPN profile) etched his name further into NASCAR history, clinching his 60th Cup Series victory. But this wasn't just about the numbers; it was a deeply personal triumph. This win guarantees Hamlin a coveted position in the championship-deciding race, a shot at the title that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career. This marks his first appearance in the winner-take-all title race since 2021.
For those new to NASCAR, the championship finale is the ultimate showdown. The drivers who make it through the playoff rounds get one final race to battle it out for the Cup Series title. It's a high-stakes, winner-take-all scenario where anything can happen.
Hamlin, a Joe Gibbs Racing legend, now shares the tenth spot on NASCAR's all-time wins list with the recently retired Kevin Harvick (check out Harvick's career stats here). Sixty wins is a monumental achievement, placing him among the sport's elite.
But here's where it gets controversial... Many consider Hamlin the best driver never to win a Cup Series championship. Is this win a sign that he's finally ready to shed that label? Or will history repeat itself?
The victory in Las Vegas held profound emotional significance for Hamlin. Two weeks prior, he experienced disappointment at Kansas Speedway, where he desperately sought a win to dedicate to his father, who is currently battling health issues. He channeled that heartbreak into fierce determination in Las Vegas. After crossing the finish line, Hamlin choked back tears as he dedicated the win to his father, who has been a constant source of support, particularly in the pursuit of this milestone 60th victory.
"It definitely means a lot. This is the point where I kind of give the fans some (crap), but not today," Hamlin admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "I appreciate all of you so much. Obviously, want to say hi to my dad, family back at home, all the friends that came out here for Vegas, hoping we get 60."
Hamlin's path to victory wasn't easy. On the final restart, he opted for four fresh tires, placing him fifth in the running order. Undeterred, he expertly navigated through the field, first overtaking Joey Logano (who risked it all with only two new tires), then hunting down Kyle Larson on the inside. Finally, he seized the lead from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, who had also gambled on a two-tire strategy.
And this is the part most people miss... The strategic brilliance of Hamlin's crew chief, Chris Gayle, played a pivotal role. Gayle's adjustments during the final pit stop proved crucial, fine-tuning the car to perfection. This win marks the furthest Gayle has ever advanced in the playoffs with a driver.
"Chris did an amazing job on that final stop getting the car just right. I just held it down," Hamlin acknowledged. "That's all I could do, is just go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose. Just go for it, try to punch a ticket now. I don't know what to say. It was very unexpected, the last 15 laps I didn't think we were going to win. I knew I was going to give it all I had." This victory marks Hamlin's sixth win of the season, his highest win total since 2020, showcasing his and his team's exceptional performance.
Kyle Larson, hungry to end a 20-race winless streak, secured second place for Hendrick Motorsports, driving a Chevrolet. Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, finished third and fourth, respectively. Tyler Reddick, who drives for Hamlin's own 23XI Racing team, claimed fifth, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano finished sixth.
Notably, five of the top six finishers – everyone except Reddick – are still in contention for the playoffs. The other playoff contenders faced varying degrees of success: Chase Elliott finished 18th, Daytona 500 winner William Byron finished a disappointing 36th, and Ryan Blaney ended his day in last place, 38th.
Byron's race took a turn for the worse when he lost control of his Chevrolet with 35 laps remaining, allowing Larson to snatch the lead. Shortly after, a devastating incident occurred when Byron collided with Ty Dillon, who was slowing down to enter pit road. Byron claimed he was unaware of Dillon's intention to pit.
"I never saw him wave, I had no indication he was pitting," Byron explained, visibly upset. "I had zero idea. I am just devastated. Obviously, I wouldn't have driven full-speed into him."
With only two races remaining in this playoff round, Byron, Elliott, Logano, and Blaney find themselves at the bottom of the playoff standings, facing immense pressure to turn things around.
Ryan Blaney's title aspirations suffered a major setback when a tire issue caused him to crash into the wall with just nine laps remaining in the first stage. The incident immediately ended his race, relegating him to a 38th-place finish and dropping him to the bottom of the eight-driver playoff round. This is a tough blow, considering Blaney is the 2023 Cup Series champion. To add insult to injury, his teammate Joey Logano won the titles in 2022 and 2024, giving Team Penske three straight championships.
However, Blaney remains optimistic, especially since the next race is at Talladega Superspeedway, a track where he has won three times. He considers this race a must-win situation.
"You've got to be optimistic. I'm not very happy right now, but tomorrow morning I'll be optimistic to go to the next race," Blaney said. "We've had good success at the next two events, so hopefully we can come and bring the speed and try to overcome the hole we put ourselves in."
Tyler Reddick, despite being eliminated from the playoffs last week, continues to compete while facing incredibly difficult personal circumstances. His infant son, Rookie Reddick, is battling serious health complications.
According to Alexa Reddick's recent update, Rookie has a tumor affecting blood flow, causing heart problems. The 4-month-old will undergo surgery to remove a kidney. Alexa Reddick shared that Rookie would be moved to a specialized unit to monitor his heart and blood pressure following the surgery.
Rob Edwards, a prominent figure in IndyCar racing as the team principal of Andretti Global's IndyCar program, made his debut in NASCAR this weekend. He's transitioning to the role of chief performance officer for TWG Motorsports. TWG Motorsports has teams in NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, Formula E, and will be launching the new Cadillac F1 team.
Edwards told the Associated Press he was excited about the new challenge, and anticipates attending about a half-dozen NASCAR races next year with Spire Motorsports, where Towriss is now the majority owner.
In a related development, Andretti Global recently appointed Ron Ruzewski, one of the Team Penske executives embroiled in an Indianapolis 500 scandal, as its new IndyCar team principal.
Looking ahead, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway next Sunday. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the defending race winner, will be competing, though he is not part of the playoff field.
So, what do you think? Can Denny Hamlin finally capture that elusive Cup Series title? Will Blaney be able to bounce back at Talladega? And how will Reddick's personal struggles affect his performance on the track? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
