The man lives for speed, and his legend is etched on the track he’s made his own. Denny Hamlin has carved out his identity as a modern-day master of the high-speed oval, turning specific circuits into personal fortresses where no one else compares. His most staggering achievement is at Pocono Raceway, where he holds the record with 7 Cup Series victories, surpassing Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon.

Yet, even the masters have their blind spots, and the 2025 season highlighted the frustration. Despite his numerous wins, Hamlin still chased the elusive victory at key venues throughout the season, with a painful near-miss at tracks like Phoenix Raceway. But now, as the off-season approaches, Hamlin will be focusing on conquering some of his key targets that seem as important as winning a championship.

Denny Hamlin looks past Phoenix

In a pre-race interview ahead of the Martinsville showdown, when prompted to look beyond the championship and define his next career target, Hamlin shifted his gaze to the few major trophies that still elude him. “Yeah, I’m not really sure. I probably need to think about it in the off season. Truthfully, thinking about the amount of races that are left. But I mean, there’s goals, right? I haven’t won at Indy. That’s one that certainly comes to the top of mind that I’d love to accomplish,” he said.

This confession highlights the unique distinction of the Brickyard 400 as one of the last major active track victories missing from his resume, alongside his three Daytona 500 and three Southern 500 wins. Despite his 17 career starts at Indianapolis, his best finish remains third place.

He added his essential motivation, a desire to compete that transcends mere statistics, saying, “I don’t know. I live to go fast every weekend and try to beat everyone else. And so just every win from here on out is just going to be special. And certainly, you know, I’m going to cherish them.” It is a pure love for the sport that still burns within, not for the records, but for the thrill of the chase.

When asked to reflect on the gravity of his latest championship pursuit, Hamlin quickly grounded the situation, stating, “It’s week to week. I don’t know. I wish I could tell you that, well, we’re just faster or things are… I don’t know.” 

As of the 2025 season, Hamlin is widely regarded as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers to have never won a championship, holding the record for most Cup Series wins without a title, surpassing the likes of Mark Martin.

His win at Las Vegas in the Round of 8 was his sixth of the season, tying his personal best from his dominant 2019 and 2020 campaigns, where he also reached the Championship 4 but fell short of the title in the latter year. He acknowledged the formidable nature of the field by pointing out, “I think we have an equal chance as Corey Heim. Because he’s dominated this season, so he’s still got a 25% chance. And that’s what we’re going to have next week.”

Heim, in the 2025 season of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, had an unprecedented run, tying and then breaking the single-season win record, ultimately securing 11 wins. By equating his own chances to Heim’s one-in-four probability, Hamlin underscored the brutal finality of the Championship 4 format, where a full season of dominance boils down to a single, unpredictable 312-lap race at Phoenix Raceway.

The veteran driver’s realism stems from years of witnessing the capricious nature of the sport, especially in the elimination playoffs. He elaborated on this factor, saying, “But I’m optimistic about the way we’re running. You know, these NASCAR races come down to sometimes things that are unpredictable. And so you just hope that the things out of your control don’t inhibit you in any kind of way.”

For instance, in the 2020 finale, he lacked the speed to compete with champion Chase Elliott. His focus is entirely on mitigating error, an area where his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team, led by crew chief Chris Gayle, has shown immense strength, evidenced by his season-high 817 laps led leading into the finale.

Ultimately, for Hamlin, the only antidote to the unpredictability is unflinching execution, a core tenet of his team’s success. “But I think on the racetrack, we can do our jobs. If we do our jobs, I think we’ll be one of the guys that will contend next week,” he continued. His immediate focus remains solely on the final race, a championship-or-bust approach that leaves no room for dwelling on his overall career accomplishments.

However, despite his dominant 2025 playoff run, Hamlin turns his attention to conquering his one persistent weak spot.

Denny Hamlin targets elusive finale win to end title drought

Heading into Phoenix, Denny Hamlin‘s playoff campaign has been a masterclass in consistency and composure. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran has once again proven why he is among NASCAR’s most relentless competitors after a successful 2025 season. Yet, amid all the celebration, Hamlin remains laser-focused on one nagging obstacle, his mixed history at Phoenix Raceway.

In the same interview, when asked about specific areas of focus at Phoenix, Hamlin kept details close to the chest, admitting, “The list is too long, and I can’t tip my hat on that.” He added, “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.” 

It’s a striking confession from a driver known for mastering venues like Martinsville and New Hampshire, where his short-track dominance often sets him apart.

Still, Hamlin’s pursuit of ‘getting better’ extends beyond setup tweaks; it has become a personal mission. “So, half the focus has been on myself, more so, than just trying to get everything I can out of the car,” he said, reflecting on the Arizona circuit that’s denied him a title several times.

As the 2025 Championship 4 approaches, Hamlin’s challenge isn’t just about speed; it’s about conquering the one-mile track that has long kept his legacy waiting for completion.