Overview
- Hamlin led 208 laps from the pole at Phoenix, took four tires under a late caution, and lost the championship on an overtime restart as Kyle Larson’s two‑tire call prevailed.
- He said on his Actions Detrimental podcast that conversations with Carl Edwards helped him see racing as only a small part of life.
- He cited Mark Martin as a model for valuing respect over hardware, saying the trophies “mean nothing.”
- A breakfast‑spot encounter with a fan’s family the morning after Phoenix reminded him how much his racing can lift others.
- He said he kept his composure for his daughters after the loss, using the moment to teach that life can feel unfair.