As Denny Hamlin passed the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he not only secured his 60th NASCAR Cup Series victory but also etched his name into the history books. The win marked his first career win at the track and clinched his spot in the Championship 4, setting the stage for a potential first Cup title in Phoenix next month.

The final laps of the South Point 400 were a masterclass in strategy and execution. With just four laps remaining, Hamlin, on fresher tires, made a decisive move to pass his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, who had opted for two tires during the pit stop. This maneuver propelled Hamlin into the lead, a position he maintained to the finish line.

While speaking at Victory Lane, Hamlin said, “It definitely means a lot. This is the point where I kind of give the fans some shit, but not today. I appreciate all of you so much. I just want to say hi to my dad, my family, back at home, all the friends who came to Vegas hoping we get 60, but I didn’t think we were. But yes, I just put the pedal down on those last 10 laps and made it happen, dedicating his 60th victory to his dad.

A teary-eyed Hamlin went on to add, “Chris did an amazing job on that final stop. The cars just right, and I just held it down. That’s all I could do is just go for it. I feel like I had nothing to lose. Just go for it and try to punch the ticket now. And man, this one feels great.”

Finally, he concluded, saying, “I mean if you would ask me yesterday, I would have said no. But you know, just super proud of this team for making the adjustments. Pit crew for doing a great job all day and AMPM, you know, I just only my second race with these guys. When we get sponsors we typically win with them, so I appreciate them.”

Hamlin’s victory was not just about tire strategy; it was a testament to his racing acumen and the strength of his team. Starting from the pole position, Hamlin led only nine laps during the race, highlighting the importance of timing and decision-making in NASCAR. The win also added to his impressive career tally, tying him with Kevin Harvick for the 10th-most wins in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Looking ahead, Hamlin’s performance at Las Vegas has set a high bar for the Championship 4 contenders. With the momentum from this victory, he enters the final race of the season with confidence, aiming to secure his first Cup Series championship.

While Denny was at it, Kyle Busch delivered one of his strongest performances of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing 8th in the South Point 400.

Kyle Busch shines on home track

His result stands out as a rare top-10 finish for Busch, who has faced challenges throughout the season, including a series of finishes outside the top 20. His performance in Las Vegas was a significant improvement, showcasing his resilience and skill on a track where he has historically struggled.

Busch’s 8th-place finish in Las Vegas was a notable achievement, especially considering his recent performances. Before this race, his best finishes were 5th at Darlington Raceway and 8th at Phoenix Raceway. However, these were among the few highlights in a season marked by inconsistency.

For instance, at the Charlotte Roval, he finished 34th, and at Kansas, he placed 19th. These results reflect the challenges Busch has faced in adapting to the new car and team dynamics.

The improvement in Las Vegas also coincided with a change in his crew chief position. Ahead of the Charlotte Roval race, Richard Childress Racing announced that Andy Street would replace Randall Burnett as the crew chief for Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet.

This change was made in response to the team’s struggles, as Busch had only two top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes at that point in the season. The Las Vegas race served as an early test for this new leadership, and the positive outcome suggests potential for future improvements.