Hamlin given special honor as Larson participates – Sports News
Denny Hamlin’s speech on the NASCAR Awards was met with a rousing standing ovation.
On Sunday, Hamlin’s hopes of lastly capturing the NASCAR Cup Series championship, which has eluded him all through his profession, got here to a devastating finish in Phoenix. The 44-year-old was much less than three laps from victory when destiny intervened, and William Byron crashed.
Overtime adopted, and Hamlin needed to change 4 tires whereas Kyle Larson simply swapped two. Larson then gained the championship, having by no means led a lap.
Hamlin had the quickest car within the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race and drove his No. 11 car flawlessly. And but, for the twentieth time in as many full-time seasons, Hamlin left the ultimate race with out the title he covets.
Larson gained the Championship 4 forward of Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Byron. All 4 spoke on the NASCAR Awards in Scottsdale, Arizona on Tuesday, and it was emotional for Hamlin.
The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran acknowledged he needed some time to “get over” the end result, however remained optimistic. He praised his workforce and their six-win season, as Hamlin clinched his sixtieth profession victory along with his win at Las Vegas within the playoffs.
“Really a proud moment for myself, my team, and my family, just a great day,’’ Hamlin said of that milestone win, adding of his 2025 season, “It was a good season, a great season, almost perfect.’’
After Hamlin’s speech, the entire room — including Larson — stood to give him a rousing ovation. It was an emotional moment that highlights just how popular Hamlin truly is among his peers and how much his pursuit of an elusive title has captivated even his rivals.
In his speech, Larson noted the emotional ending to the race, adding: “I’ve got to give a special shout-out to Denny Hamlin. Nobody in this sport works harder or expects more out of himself.
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“Year after year, he raises the bar and pushes his competitors to be better. He holds himself to a true championship standard, and I think everyone in this room has a ton of respect for that.”
When he talked to reporters on Tuesday morning, Hamlin nonetheless appeared deflated as he addressed his future. He stated: “In the moment, I can’t imagine having to go through the process I went through to prepare for that race, doing it all over again. I just don’t see any way.”
Hamlin steered he will likely be back within the car in 2026: “I plan to—I have a contract to,” he stated. “But at this point, there’s absolutely no way that I will even… I don’t even think about the racecar right now. I’m going to need some time on this one.”
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