Overview
- On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin said seeing the No. 5 fan out in the dogleg with about three‑quarters of a mile to go told him the title was gone.
- He shared his ailing father’s message after the race: “You had it. You did it. You just don’t have the trophy.”
- Hamlin led the most laps in the Phoenix finale before a late caution for William Byron’s tire failure triggered split pit calls that reshuffled the order.
- Kyle Larson’s two‑tire stop set up a P3 that clinched the championship as Hamlin, on four tires and restarting 10th, finished sixth.
- Hamlin said he has not debriefed with crew chief Chris Gayle since the race, asked for space after the season, praised the team’s preparation, and stated he plans to continue racing.