Overview
- Denny Hamlin detailed how a late caution from William Byron’s blown tire, overtime, and a four‑tire stop dropped him behind Kyle Larson at Phoenix, where Larson’s P3 clinched the title and Hamlin finished sixth.
- On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin said NASCAR’s rules penalize leaders for the sake of entertainment and cited Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 Daytona 500 as a win that might not occur under today’s green‑white‑checkered restarts, while affirming Larson’s championship as deserved.
- Hamlin revealed he would have tried to retire immediately had he won the race, yet confirmed he will return in 2026 despite feeling mentally spent in the immediate aftermath.
- He acknowledged no post‑race conversation with crew chief Chris Gayle, saying he wanted space in the offseason, as both described the finale’s pivotal four‑tire call differently from rivals who took two.
- NASCAR’s review of its championship structure has concluded at the committee level, with insiders indicating the one‑race finale is ending and that officials are weighing multi‑race playoff models, though a playoff of some form is still viewed as likely and announcements are pending.