The choice was between staying out front and pitting for two tires or going for all four. And Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gayle, went with his gut, opting for four fresh tires at Phoenix—a gamble that didn’t pay off. After the race, Gayle reflected on the crucial call, standing by the decision.

“I know the time he was looking at stuff, preparing for that qualifying lap weeks ahead,” he said after the race. “I know that. And that’s what I hate.

“I hate that it came down to some chaotic late-race restart where he was the dominant car and didn’t get the win. You know, for a second I could think, ‘Oh well if I took two tires, I don’t know if that would have worked.’ If I was doing it, this was their only shot.” 

It was a gut-wrenching defeat for Hamlin, who secured a record of leading the most laps in a championship race. After the final pit stop, Kyle Larson restarted fifth, and the gap between him and Hamlin was vast. The latter was dropped to 10th.

Larson’s quick jump off the line widened the gap beyond Hamlin’s reach, and he ultimately crossed the finish line 3rd, enough to clinch his second career championship.

Further back his call, Gayle said, “And it really was going to dictate on just how many other cars stayed and who fit between you. I think four tires was the right call. I just didn’t get clear on the bottom, and I thought for a split second we were.

“Yeah, I don’t know. I just know that, you know, we had talked about this ahead of time and knew that four tires was probably the plan here. Unless there was a certain situation that was unique.”

But the Joe Gibbs Racing driver wasn’t left in the dark; he knew what was coming on that restart. He said,” We took four tires. I thought that definitely was the right call. Just so many cars took two there. Obviously, put us back. Team did a fantastic job. They prepared a championship car. Just didn’t happen.”  

This is the fifth time in his career that the driver came up short in the championship race.

Now 44, Hamlin is painfully aware that his chances at a title are narrowing. This race might have been his best shot. That’s the reason the NASCAR community is unhappy. They quickly took to social media and shared their thoughts about Hamlin, Gayle, and the lost opportunity. What did they say?

NASCAR fans slam Chris Gayle, calling for strict action

Fans were furious with the late race decision to change all four tires during overtime, believing it cost Denny Hamlin his long-awaited championship. Social media lit up with outrage.

• “Denny did everything right all weekend and the guy with no win prior to being with Danny screws him.”
• “Unless there was a certain situation that was unique, LIKE IDK EVERY OTHER F—ING CAR TAKING 2 TIRES WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE???”

Though the driver felt composed during the race, he was visibly emotional during a pre-race interview. After all, his father was not in attendance, and Hamlin knew that it was probably the last chance for his pops to see him win. But that victory never came.

Regardless, many fans felt that the title had been snatched away from Hamlin’s hands. Many were annoyed at Chris Gayle.

• “F—ing idiot. Cost Danny a championship,”
• “Just admit you made a mistake already!”

Hamlin was numb. His fiancée, Jordan Fish, was the first to meet him after he exited his car. That was followed by Gayle, who immediately placed his hand on Hamlin’s shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.

• “I honestly am shocked that Hamlin even elected to pit. I would’ve stayed out. There were only two laps left.“

Unleashing a wave of frustration, the fans didn’t hold back. What they saw as a strategy blunder cost Hamlin his best shot at a championship. For Hamlin’s loyal supporters, the decision wasn’t just a bad call; it was the latest in a long line of heartbreaks that have defined his quest for a cup title. And now he will have to wait another year to rebuild his legacy.

However, many aspects contribute to a win or a loss in NASCAR. For Hamlin, it simply wasn’t his day.