AVONDALE, Ariz. — Denny Hamlin is making a comeback to Phoenix Raceway this weekend with a strong determination to move past his disappointing finish in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship held last November. Despite leading 208 of the 319 laps in that title race, a strategic decision during an overtime restart cost him the championship, fueling his motivation for redemption.
Currently sitting 23rd in the standings, the experienced 45-year-old driver will start 11th in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for the upcoming race on Sunday.
Hamlin Reflects on Past Challenges and Future Goals
Expressing mixed emotions about his return, Hamlin admitted to still feeling some frustration over the last season’s outcome.
“I’m still angry at the track a little bit,”
he said, acknowledging the tough memories of falling short despite a strong performance.
“But the track doesn’t have a soul, so it can’t feel the things I feel.”
Nevertheless, Hamlin is focused on the present and future opportunities at Phoenix.
“You’ve still got to come in here and start the whole process over again and do all the right things and see where the result pans out this time. Haven’t had a whole lot of races since we were here for the championship, so just trying to get acclimated with where we are at this point and seeing if we can we replicate some of the magic we had.”
Strong Historical Performance Fuels Optimism
Hamlin’s history at Phoenix Raceway shows considerable success, with two wins, 17 top-five finishes, and 24 top-10 results in 41 career Cup Series races at the track. His 1,147 laps led there rank third among all drivers, highlighting his ability to perform well on this circuit. Furthermore, he was among a select group of five drivers to finish in the top 10 during both Phoenix races in the 2025 season.
Given this track record, Hamlin’s return to Phoenix holds promise for regaining momentum and possibly contending once again for top honors in this event.
