Kyle Larson was not in the spotlight for the NASCAR Cup Series finale. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had not won a race since May, and barely hung on in the playoffs on purely on the basis of points. During the Phoenix Raceway event, he did not lead a single lap. Hence, when a late-race caution stole Denny Hamlin’s dominance and handed Larson the championship crown, fans frowned upon this victory. However, the community also has a reason to be fond of Larson.

Last Sunday’s race went down as one of the most sensational championship races. Denny Hamlin was the favorite – he had won his 60th Cup race victory in Las Vegas, and was eagerly awaiting the elusive Cup Series title. So his subsequent failure led to a heartbreaking response – which touched even the 2025 champion.

A heartfelt tribute to the deserving champion

Denny Hamlin’s sentiment spilled over into the NASCAR Awards ceremony, which Hamlin had to attend despite failing to capture the title. While Kyle Larson, the newly crowned 2025 champion, was giving his address, he said, “I’ve got to give a special shoutout to Denny Hamlin. Nobody in this sport works harder or expects more out of himself. Year after year, he raises the bar and pushes his competitors to be better. He holds himself to a true championship standard, and I think everyone in this room has a ton of respect for that.”

While Kyle Larson was in the shadows for most of the season, Denny Hamlin hogged the spotlight. The reasons were mixed – on one hand was the ongoing battle of his team, 23XI Racing, against NASCAR. On the other hand was Hamlin’s struggle to adapt to a new crew chief and seek a championship for his ailing father. That is why when he locked himself into the Final Four in Las Vegas, he became emotional. And cheers ensued from the grandstands instead of the customary boos. It was almost as if the entire NASCAR community breathed as a single organism, rooting for Denny Hamlin to win. So, a NASCAR fan on Reddit hailed Larson for his gesture, “Update: I am now a Kyle Larson fan that was so sweet of him.”

What is more, the entire audience stood up in unison to give Denny Hamlin a standing ovation. All his family’s struggles, his racing ambitions, and championship dreams culminated in producing this sweet moment. That evoked an emotional reaction from the NASCAR fan: “Standing Ovation at the awards ceremony for Denny Hamlin. He deserved it 100%. It brought a tear to my eye :)”

All four Championship 4 drivers spoke at the NASCAR Awards ceremony, including Denny Hamlin. The 44-year-old was initially overcome with heartbreak and confessed that he does not want to look at a race car. Yet during the ceremony, he gathered himself to savor the season, and especially his 60th race win. “Really a proud moment for myself, my team, and my family, just a great day. It was a good season, a great season — almost perfect.”

And this event set off ripples of goosebumps across the fan community.

Starry-eyed fans hail the drivers

Well, most of the NASCAR community launched into mourning after Denny Hamlin’s failure. However, Kyle Larson uplifted everybody’s mood with his heartening NASCAR Awards speed. Hence, the Hendrick Motorsports star just garnered more fans in the community! One fan wrote, “I bought a Larson Indycar shirt because I’ll root for anyone who tries the double and now I’ll wear that because I kind of like Kyle Larson.” Somebody else noted the deep friendship that Larson shares with Hamlin. “They are good friends,” the fan wrote, despite the multiple instances when Larson clashed with Hamlin in the past.

And then appeared the volley of jaw-dropping reactions from Denny Hamlin’s usual detractors. Usually known as NASCAR’s villain for his clashes with popular drivers, Hamlin turned into a sweetheart. “Even as a certified Denny Hater® his postrace interview was a tough watch,” somebody wrote. Another fan ardently wanted Dennis Hamlin, Denny’s father, to finally break open the cigar case gifted by Michael Jordan. “Still not a fan of Denny, I don’t think I ever will be. But shit, he DESERVES that cigar with his father.”

Somebody else brought up the NASCAR lawsuit and how Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan are seeking to improve the sport. The fan implied that Hamlin could win due to Brian France’s elimination playoff format. They simply wrote, “Brian france ruined nascar.”

Evidently, the NASCAR community is feeling heavy with Denny Hamlin’s defeat. Let’s hope that the JGR veteran will get it done next season.