Denny Hamlin's emotional victory at Las Vegas has ignited his quest for the NASCAR Cup Series title, proving that even amidst chaos, greatness can emerge.
by JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
It's been a season of high drama for Denny Hamlin, to say the least. From a lawsuit against NASCAR to his popular, opinionated podcasts, Hamlin has been a central figure in the NASCAR world. He even played a crucial role in determining the final eight drivers in the playoffs. But how did he manage to stay focused amidst all this? And what does this mean for his championship chances?
Adding to the complexity, Hamlin welcomed his third child in June, which caused him to miss a race in Mexico City. Yet, through it all, he has persevered. At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he secured his spot in the championship-deciding season finale, marking his first appearance in the winner-take-all race since 2021. This victory was his sixth of the season, a series best. It was also his 60th career win, a milestone he'd always aimed for, solidifying his place as the winningest driver in both Joe Gibbs Racing history and for Toyota.
This win was different. It was the most emotional anyone has seen Hamlin in his two-plus decades in NASCAR. His father, a Virginia native, played a pivotal role in his journey, making significant sacrifices to support his son's racing career. Hamlin wanted this win for his father, and it showed. He was in tears during the final laps, visibly emotional on the radio, and composed himself on the frontstretch to collect his checkered flag.
"I'm probably softer than what I put off," Hamlin admitted. "I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe." He continued, "I just know how much work it took for this to happen. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It just was so gratifying because of all the things I talked about."
But here's where it gets controversial... Hamlin's recent months haven't been without their challenges:
- He had a run-in with teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire.
- He raced Bubba Wallace too hard at Kansas, costing himself a win and Wallace a spot in the playoffs.
- At Charlotte, his last-lap pass of Ross Chastain potentially impacted the playoff standings.
Despite these hurdles, Hamlin has shown an incredible ability to tune it all out. His crew chief, Chris Gayle, notes Hamlin's remarkable ability to compartmentalize, focusing on the task at hand regardless of external distractions. Hamlin himself draws parallels to Tony Stewart, thriving when his personal life was most disruptive.
"The cliche things I’ve said is thriving in chaos. The record would show it," Hamlin said. "There’s absolutely a correlation to the more stuff that goes on, the more that you’re going to get out of me in those moments. It’s really, really hard to do.”
As for the win at Las Vegas that has him back into title contention? "I’m going to take a mental break from racing a little bit," he said.
And this is the part most people miss... Hamlin's ability to thrive under pressure and manage the chaos surrounding him might just be the key to finally securing that elusive Cup title. What do you think? Do you believe that external pressures can fuel a driver's performance, or do they ultimately hinder their chances? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
