It wasn’t the kind of ending Denny Hamlin hoped for. Ever since his 60th milestone career win in the Round of 8 opener, Hamlin showed the momentum of a champion, but all that came to a stop at Talladega. The No. 11 driver experienced a stuck throttle, caused by a chunk of rubber getting into a throttle body and locking it full open, and this led him to finish 24th in the pack.

That streak of bad luck seemed to have followed through at the elimination round at Martinsville today. His race came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end with just 164 laps remaining. What looked like a solid top-five run quickly unraveled as smoke began trailing from his car. And that could be a serious roadblock on his way to Phoenix.

Denny Hamlin has a stress-free approach to his title hunt at Phoenix

Speaking post-race, Hamlin takes a very real approach as his day ended early. Reflecting on his race next Sunday, he said, “I mean, I could be worried, but I can’t do anything about it. So I’m still optimistic we’re going to go there and put our best foot forward, and I’ll be prepared. That might be a game-changer. We’re going to put our best foot forward, and hopefully it’s enough next week. That’s all I can do.”

The issue worsened around Lap 360, forcing him to retire from the race while he was running second to race leader Ryan Blaney. The No. 11 driver officially scored 35th, a disappointing result after showing serious pace and composure for most of the afternoon.

Up to that point, Hamlin had been one of the strongest contenders on track. He spent much of the race in the top five, running as high as second. As the laps ticked down, he consistently kept himself within striking distance of the lead, even closing the gap to just under two seconds around Lap 320. His performance reflects the kind of steady control and experience that often defies his runs at tracks demanding both rhythm and restraint.

Earlier in the race, he had been a constant presence near the front. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver first appeared inside the top five as early as lap 16 and managed his base through multiple pit cycles and stage breaks. He finished fifth in Stage 1, and by the time the field restarted for the final stage on Lap 272, he was once again positioned in the top three, challenging Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney.

Unfortunately, the same mechanical reliability that had carried him through much of the race failed him in the closing stages, turning what could have been a podium finish into a bitter early exit. However, Hamlin has nothing to worry about, as he has already locked in his spot at Phoenix and is now more than eager for the race to come.

Denny Hamlin gets real about his Phoenix title run strategy

Amid the lawsuit issues, Denny Hamlin’s 25-playoff run stands as a testament to his trademark consistency, but one obstacle remains stubbornly in his path: his long-standing difficulties at the Arizona oval, despite excelling at other short and flat tracks like Martinsville and New Hampshire. Phoenix has remained an enigma for a veteran of Hamlin’s caliber.

Amid the pressure of another championship pursuit, Hamlin kept his goals guarded, remarking, “The list is too long, and I can’t tip my hat on that. I think as a driver, I’ve always thought that Phoenix has kind of not been my strong suit, necessarily as a driver, even though it’s in my wheelhouse of shorter, flat tracks. So, half the focus has been on myself, more so, than just trying to get everything I can out of the car.” 

While Hamlin has built a career on short tracks, Phoenix continues to elude him, turning into more than just a strategic hurdle; it has become a personal battle for redemption and mastery. But with a P2 finish at Phoenix this year, Hamlin could try and find that same momentum next Sunday.

Now with the 2025 Championship 4 just around the corner, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran returns to the desert with renewed results, not merely to chase a win but to confront the one track that has persistently challenged his legacy.