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Denny Hamlin has divided the NASCAR community for years. But after the checkered flag was waved at Phoenix Raceway, fans in the grandstands and watching on television shared the same thought. The veteran was hard done by, especially after leading a staggering 208 laps. He was on the cusp of capturing his first title until a late caution allowed Kyle Larson to win the championship. For the 44-year-old, it wasn’t just another loss. It was a culmination of years of close calls and what-ifs. As confetti dropped for someone else yet again, Hamlin turned to Carl Edwards, who knew precisely how it felt to walk away from it all. What followed was more than just a talk between two drivers; it was a moment that left the NASCAR world thinking about what truly motivates a racer. ADVERTISEMENT Denny Hamlin draws parallels with Carl Edwards It almost felt like déjà vu! Another season, another heartbreak for Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran reflected, “To borrow from Carl Edwards, I mean, with five laps to go, I knew what it was like to be a champion. I did everything I was supposed to, and so, you know, 40 seconds or 50 seconds at the end deciding whether I win that championship or not has no bearing on my ability or what I’m capable of.” After dominating the championship race at Phoenix, the Joe Gibbs Racing star found himself seconds away from his long-awaited crown before fate, once again, intervened. It’s no wonder Hamlin turned to someone who understood that exact kind of pain – his former teammate Carl Edwards. Edwards abruptly retired in 2016 after a questionable caution flag cost him the 2016 championship. While the ‘official’ version suggests that he retired because of family reasons, many in the NASCAR community believe there was more to the decision than what meets the eye. And watching Denny Hamlin’s stunned reaction after the checkered flag was waved, many felt that history could repeat itself once again. ADVERTISEMENT This time for Denny Hamlin, it wasn’t about the lack of skill or preparation. It was pure bad luck! “I just don’t have the trophy sitting at home, but I know we were the best,” he said. His words carry a quiet acceptance, one that only comes from years of falling short in a sport where inches can define legacies. ADVERTISEMENT Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports The playoff format, with its “win and in” chaos, makes consistency meaningless at times. Now, this is something that Hamlin knows all too well. At 44, Hamlin’s window for a title is narrowing. Add to that his father’s deteriorating health condition and the birth of his son, and now the road ahead…well, it gets tougher. Talking about his future plans, he said, “I plan to (race); I have a contract to. But at this point, there’s just absolutely no way that I would even. I don’t even think about race cars right now. I’m gonna need some time on this one.” And as Hamlin steps back to regroup, the NASCAR community is making sure he doesn’t walk that road alone. ADVERTISEMENT NASCAR community stands behind Hamlin Denny Hamlin’s crushing 2025 championship loss has deeply impacted not only the driver but also the entire NASCAR community. One fan reflected, “Hard not to, but man the entire racing world put so much pressure on him, compounded by his Dad’s illness and Denny’s own pressure on himself. It’s not over for Denny, but I think for him it probably feels that way.” Hamlin’s emotional toll was visible as he struggled to process the near-miss. The heartbreak hit hardest with a late caution just three laps from the finish due to William Byron’s flat tire while Hamlin was leading the race. The caution triggered a chaotic pit stop. Hamlin restarted in tenth, which ultimately cost him the title as he finished behind Kyle Larson. One fan observed, “It seems like his spirit [was] ‘broken’ not at the drop of the checkered flag but the moment the caution came out.” The cruel timing echoed a similar fate suffered by Carl Edwards in 2016. A controversial late-race caution at Homestead-Miami Speedway ended his championship hopes, paralleling Hamlin’s experience. Edwards announced his retirement soon afterward. A fan pointed out, “Now he’s gotta wrap his head around whether he’d be ok going out like Carl or if he wants to run it back to get the sour taste out of his mouth.” Now, it’s up to Hamlin whether he wants to continue racing and chase that elusive title or retire like Edwards. ADVERTISEMENT As the comparisons to Edwards grew, so did the empathy. Another fan summed up what many felt. “Man, I can imagine the urge to walk away would be so strong after what he experienced. Sixty wins and to be that close, only to have it pulled out from under you. I imagine that’s a special kind of pain.” Meanwhile, a fan pointed out how Carl Edwards has been helping NASCAR drivers after his retirement. “Cousin Carl continues his post-retirement mission of good deeds one person at a time. No surprise at all that they conversed.” And they are right! Hamlin isn’t the first driver to get guidance from the NASCAR legend. In a notable incident, way back in 2017, Edwards flew to Atlanta to offer some assistance and advice to his successor, Daniel Suarez. “He just asked me, ‘Hey, Daniel, do you want me to go over there? Do you think it would be helpful?'” Suarez talked about the incident back then. This collective empathy and fan engagement highlight how Hamlin’s journey extends beyond racing. As we prepare for the 2026 season, here’s wishing Denny Hamlin peace, clarity. And maybe, just maybe, the ending he’s chased his entire career.
