Sometimes, love means standing beside someone through every victory and every heartbreak. For Denny Hamlin, Jordan Fish has been that constant presence. She’s been there through it all. From the crushing 2010 title loss to Jimmie Johnson to the devastating finale at Phoenix Raceway yesterday. After the race, Hamlin was seen embracing a teary-eyed Fish and their daughters, Taylor and Molly.

The moment was raw; the silence was heavy. Later, Fish, who met Hamlin back in 2007, shared a simple broken heart emoji on social X, saying more than words ever could. A day later, the 37-year-old found the strength to put her heartbreak into words, reflecting the pain of a family that came agonizingly close, once again, to the dream that slipped away.

Jordan Fish is grateful for the support amid the championship heartbreak

Taking to Instagram, Jordan Fish didn’t hold back on her emotions. She wrote, ” Words can’t really express how I feel rn. Numb may be. My heart and body physically ache for Denny and his entire team. Watching him put in countless hours, years, and two decades worth of hard work and dedication for a sport he loves so incredibly much, just to fall short once again, is absolutely heart wrenching. This sport can really make you feel on top of the world one second, and in the bottom of the trenches in the other. I’m tired, I’m sad, I feel defeated.

She went on to add what this heartbreak meant for Denny Hamlin‘s ailing father, “I wish the outcome was different. I’m confident Denny did all he could yesterday, and for that, I am so proud of him. I’m sad for his dad, who probably won’t get to witness his son accomplish his dream. However, I am faithful that God has a plan, even though it may be hard to see. The story isn’t over, it’s just still being written. Thank you for your messages, thank you for your kindness, and thank you for always supporting our family.”

When it was over, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s family tearfully ran into his arms, feeling the loss and the pain. Jordan Fish knows the enduring pain better than anyone. Despite their longevity, their relationship hasn’t been without difficulties. In 2021, Fish posted a series of pointed messages on X that seemed to signal a breakup. These posts suggested serious strain and were widely reported in 2022. But fast forward a bit; they reconciled and were engaged by 2024, showing that despite the public conflict, they found a way back to each other.

Hamlin only wanted one thing more than the elusive championship, and that was to see his father, Dennis Hamlin, witness and celebrate Denny’s first championship. But that never came. Time and again, Denny Hamlin mentioned his father’s undisclosed condition and later updated the NASCAR world with somber words. He said, ” I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment.” And as Phoenix presented itself with an unfortunate event on pit road, Hamlin’s 5th shot at winning the title was completely derailed.

Hamlin had the race firmly in his grasp, leading 208 laps and commanding from pole position until heartbreak struck. With just 3 laps to go, a caution flag flew after William Byron’s tire failure, shattering Hamlin’s rhythm. During the pit stop, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran lost crucial track position as his crew opted for four fresh tires, opening the door for 33-year-old Kyle Larson to seize his 2nd Cup Series title.

And maybe Hamlin finds a way back to his long-elusive title in the next two runs with Joe Gibbs Racing. His 2025 season was marked by brilliance as he nabbed 6 Cup Series wins, 60 career wins, and a dominant performance at Phoenix; the title was his to lose. Even Larson, despite celebrating his championship, felt the weight of Hamlin’s loss. But Hamlin’s message to his father post-race was even more emotional.

Denny Hamlin issues a heartbreaking message to his father

The first time Denny Hamlin opened up about his father’s health was back in September, after his victory at the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway. In his victory interview, Hamlin became emotional, saying, “And so happy to get this victory and my dad’s not feeling well at home. So just shoutout to him, the whole family’s here, so fantastic day, and it couldn’t be better. … Just step up.”

For Hamlin, this carries deep emotion; his father, Dennis Hamlin, was the backbone of his early racing years. He mortgaged their Virginia home multiple times and extended limits on their credit cards, and they only went bankrupt just to keep his son’s racing dream alive. Post-race, when Hamlin was asked about what he would like to tell his father, the 44-year-old with a defeated smile said, “ I did the best I could.”

More than 20 years later, the 44-year-old driver has become one of NASCAR’s modern greats, a 60-time Cup Series winner and three-time Daytona 500 champion. Yet, the one thing his story still lacks is that elusive championship, the fairytale ending he and his father have long chased. And the dream of smoking the celebratory cigar never came. But as the postseason begins, it can be said with much certainty that Denny Hamlin will be by his father’s side as he aims to come back stronger next year.