Denny Hamlin narrowly missed out on his 60th career victory at Kansas Speedway as a late duel with Bubba Wallace paved the way for Chase Elliott to claim the win. This Denny Hamlin Kansas near-win came during a pivotal moment in the season, impacting the championship race and playoff standings ahead of the Eliminator round in Charlotte.
While Hendrick Motorsports celebrated Elliott’s second win of the season and his critical advancement to the Round of 8, Hamlin faced a heartbreaking defeat. Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and a 93-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, delivered a candid assessment of Hamlin’s struggle, drawing on his own experiences with missed chances in racing.
Jeff Gordon Reflects on Hamlin’s Close Loss at Kansas
Elite competitors often recall their near-misses more vividly than their victories, a truth Gordon underscored following the intense 400-mile race in Kansas. Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, led for 159 laps and was on the verge of sealing his milestone win at the track in the Sunflower State. However, Elliott’s late charge, fueled by fresher tires, changed the outcome dramatically.
Gordon expressed sympathy for Hamlin’s disappointment, highlighting how such moments linger with drivers.
“I can’t remember many of the ones I won, but I can tell you all the ones I lost. Those decisions haunt you, mis-shifts and bad choices on restarts and whatever it might be, especially if it was on your watch or in your hands,”
he said, drawing from his long tenure behind the wheel.
Adding nuance to the final laps, Gordon analyzed the battle involving Hamlin and Wallace, saying,
“I don’t know what was going to happen there if Denny (Hamlin) wrapped the bottom instead of kind of using Bubba (Wallace) up, but I still think Chase (Elliott) had a great shot at it because of the new tires and the run he had going into three.”
This statement captured the complex interplay of strategy, tire wear, and track position that defined the closing moments.
Assessing Hamlin’s Season and Future Prospects
Despite the Kansas setback, Gordon remains optimistic about Hamlin’s potential, emphasizing his strong performance this season.
“Yeah, Denny’s having a great year. He signed a new contract. I don’t think he’s done winning,”
he remarked, acknowledging Hamlin’s five victories so far and his status as one of the most successful drivers this year.
Gordon also addressed Hamlin’s frustration about race interruptions.
“But when you have the opportunity, he’s probably more disappointed that the cautions came out when he had the lead and wanted to see it finish that way. But the way he’s running right now and the way that team is, I think he’s going to get some more opportunities,”
he added, underscoring that the current momentum within Joe Gibbs Racing’s Toyota team remains strong.
The Kansas race highlighted both Hamlin’s dominance and the fine margins that can turn a near victory into second place. His ability to lead over 150 laps demonstrated command on the intermediate track, reinforcing his continued competitiveness in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Implications of the Kansas Outcome for the Playoff Race
Hamlin’s near-win at Kansas intensifies the narrative heading into the Eliminator round at Charlotte, where every race win and point gained could influence championship prospects. Jeff Gordon’s insights remind fans and observers that even the most experienced drivers face moments of painful defeat but remain driven to bounce back.
For Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing, the near miss represents both a test of resilience and a call to capitalize on forthcoming chances. Meanwhile, Elliott’s triumph secured a critical playoff advancement, shifting the competitive landscape as the season progresses.
As the Cup Series heads deeper into the postseason, the mix of talented drivers, strategic decisions, and unpredictable moments at tracks like Kansas and Charlotte ensures continued excitement. Hamlin’s ability to convert opportunities into wins may prove decisive in this tightly contested campaign.
What a result for the @Hendrick9Team! pic.twitter.com/rmb8XHiLN6
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) September 29, 2025
