Denny Hamlin finished third in the final standings after leading more than 1,000 laps during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 45-year-old driver crossed the finish line in sixth place at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday night. He had four victories and never failed to finish a single race due to a crash or mechanical issue. Yet the trophy went to Kyle Larson instead.
The race served as the final chapter of a season in which Hamlin was consistently among the sport’s top contenders. Hamlin won Stage 2 and held the lead for long stretches before a late gamble sent him into the wall. Hamlin’s late gamble that sent him into the wall cost him several spots and ended his chance to win the title. Larson needed only to finish 28th or better to secure the crown, and he placed fourth in Stage 1 to clinch it early.
A Season of Almost
Hamlin refused to call his year a failure despite missing the ultimate prize. He told reporters after the race that the team’s effort was good and that he was proud of the Progressive Toyota team. He noted gains from Friday to the race and said he was happy with the effort put in on the racetrack. The numbers show a driver who was fast and consistent all year long.
Hamlin completed all 36 races without a single DNF, a feat that is hard to pull off in a field of 39 other drivers. He led the most laps and won four events, proving his car was a championship machine. The problem was that championships are not given for good years. They are won by getting the job done on the very last Sunday of the season.
The Final Gamble
Hamlin admitted he was trying to win when he made the move that put him into the wall. He said he was just going for it at the end and that the move cost them some spots. He stated he definitely wanted to try to win and called it a fun race. The result left him seven points behind teammate Christopher Bell and 56 points behind Larson.
Larson became the 11th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win at least three championships. He joins a group that includes three-time champions such as Tony Stewart, Joey Logano and Cale Yarborough, while Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson remain tied for the all-time record with seven titles each. His crew chief, Cliff Daniels, became only the second man to win three championships in his first seven seasons. The victory for Hendrick Motorsports marks their 16th title, more than any other team in the sport.
