Denny Hamlin Falters in NASCAR Championship After Late-Race Caution at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, dominated the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway by leading 208 laps and holding a three-second lead late in the race. However, a caution caused by a tire failure and crash from fellow contender William Byron with just three laps remaining disrupted Hamlin's advantage, forcing a late pit stop where he took four fresh tires and restarted in 10th place. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, who took only two tires, restarted in a higher position and ultimately finished third, clinching his second Cup Series Championship, while Hamlin finished sixth. Despite his strong performance throughout the season and the race, Hamlin expressed shock and numbness at the outcome, acknowledging that the caution and pit strategy changed the race dynamics unfavorably. Fans were also frustrated by the late caution, feeling it unfairly cost Hamlin his chance at the title, though Hamlin himself remained composed and credited his team for preparing a championship-quality car. This marked another heartbreaking near-miss in Hamlin's career, as he continues his quest for a Cup Series championship.