#phoenixraceway

Phoenix Raceway Pre-Unser Open Test Press Conference Unfolds With Palou And O'Ward #IndyCar, #UnserOpenTest, #PhoenixRaceway, #AlexPalou, #PatoOWard, #NTTIndyCarSeries, #FourPeatChase, #OvalTesting, #2026Season, #MotorsportsJournal, #IndyCarOnFOX, #INDYCAR

Hamlin Hits a Milestone at Las Vegas

Denny Hamlin reached a career-defining moment Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, claiming his season-high sixth win and 60th career victory. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran now has the most wins this season and the rare advantage of time to prepare for the Championship 4 showdown at Phoenix Raceway in three weeks.

“This was huge for me,” Hamlin said, visibly emotional after passing Chase Briscoe with just four laps remaining. “My dad’s not doing well, and he’s the one who got me into racing. To have him see my 60th win—that was super important.”

The victory not only secured Hamlin’s place in the title round but also marked his fifth attempt at the one-race championship format introduced in 2014. At 44, Hamlin is chasing the one accolade missing from his remarkable career: a NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Racing for Family and Legacy

Hamlin’s Las Vegas win carried deep personal significance. His father made major sacrifices to support Hamlin’s racing dreams, even risking financial stability to keep young Denny on the track.

“They sold everything they had. We almost lost our house a couple of times,” Hamlin recalled. “So I’m glad he got to see this win.”

Over a 19-year career that began in 2006, Hamlin has been a model of consistency, finishing third in the standings in his rookie full season and making the NASCAR playoffs nearly every year. His last championship-round appearance came in 2021, and this will be his first in the Next Gen car.

A New Crew, Same Determination

This season brought a change for Hamlin: former Ty Gibbs crew chief Chris Gayle took over after Chris Gabehart was promoted to competition director. Gayle, accustomed to working with younger drivers, had never advanced to the semifinal round before, let alone the Championship 4.

“What will I tell him?” Gayle said. “We’re going to do everything we can, leave it there in Phoenix. I don’t have a magic formula, other than to bring the fastest car I can. That’s how we’ve approached the year.”

Hamlin, for his part, isn’t worrying about new dynamics or the past. His focus is on preparation, execution, and controlling what he can in the three weeks leading up to Phoenix.

Championship Contenders and Challenges

Although Hamlin is the first guaranteed driver in the Championship 4, his title bid isn’t guaranteed to be easy. Phoenix is a flat, 1-mile track where Team Penske has excelled, winning the last three championship races with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano.

Kyle Larson sits 35 points above the cutline with remaining races at Talladega and Martinsville, Christopher Bell is 20 points ahead, and Chase Briscoe holds a 15-point margin over William Byron. Drivers like Elliott, Logano, and Blaney remain in contention but face must-win scenarios to reach Phoenix.

“Hopefully we get in there,” Larson said. “The 11 [Hamlin] is the only one guaranteed right now, so he’d be the favorite.”

Even Hamlin admits the mental game is part of the challenge. “I’ll get nervous over the next few weeks, but I’m going to focus on things I can control,” he said. “There’s been a lot of crazy stuff that’s kept me from winning a title. Maybe the tides started turning today.”

Hamlin’s Season of Triumphs

Hamlin’s 2025 season has been defined by speed, skill, and consistency. His six victories place him at the top among all drivers this year, giving him momentum and confidence heading into the finale. Unlike other contenders who must focus on qualifying and points in the upcoming races at Talladega and Martinsville, Hamlin can dedicate his full attention to Phoenix, refining setups and strategies with Gayle and the team.

Joe Gibbs, Hall of Famer and team owner, emphasizes letting Hamlin lead the mental charge. “There won’t be a lot of talking about it because he knows what’s at stake. Racing has been his life. This is all he’s wanted to do.”

Preparing for Phoenix

The Championship 4 race at Phoenix is a one-shot opportunity to secure NASCAR glory. Hamlin knows that track history, car setup, and sheer focus will matter as much as raw talent. The Penske cars’ flat-track advantage looms large, but Hamlin’s momentum and six wins this season put him in the conversation for the favorite.

Chris Gayle notes, “We’ve had a good year. We feel like we should be a front-runner for the championship. Everything we do now is focused on Phoenix.”

For Sports Channel viewers, Hamlin’s journey represents more than stats—it’s a story of perseverance, family sacrifice, and a lifetime chasing a dream. His 60th win, emotional Las Vegas triumph, and guaranteed Championship 4 spot set the stage for what could be the defining race of his career.

Emotions, Experience, and Focus

Hamlin’s approach is clear: control the controllables, trust the team, and harness the emotion of the moment. With family sacrifices, crew changes, and high-stakes pressure behind him, he faces Phoenix with experience and resolve.

“You’ve got to focus on what you can control,” Hamlin said. “If you get enough chances, eventually the tides turn. Did they start turning today? Maybe.”

For Sports Channel audiences, Hamlin’s Las Vegas victory is more than another win—it’s a narrative of resilience, preparation, and the pursuit of a career-defining championship. Fans can expect intensity, emotion, and thrilling racing as Hamlin and his team target NASCAR’s ultimate prize.