Denny Hamlin just flat out called his season “pretty miserable for sure.” And honestly? After his sixth-place finish at Martinsville, which put him in a “need-a-miracle” spot, who could argue? This guy, a Hall of Fame career already under his belt with 64 wins and a regular-season title this year, is heading into the season finale Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a title shot that’s about as remote as it gets.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: What’s Left for a Miracle
Hamlin, in his 21st Cup season, really seemed to be in the best position to snag his first championship after winning the regular-season title. But now, with only one race left, he is sitting third in points, a staggering 70 points behind leader Kyle Larson. To pull off the impossible, Hamlin would need to win the race *and* rack up 17 of the 20 possible stage points. Oh, and if he can get the fastest lap, that’s 16 stage points needed. The catch? Larson would also have to finish 29th or worse *and* earn zero stage points. Hamlin himself summed it up after Martinsville, saying, “We just didn’t gain enough to make it realistic.” Yeah, no kidding. The championship hopes are barely breathing.
More Than Just The Race: Hamlin’s Miserable Road
If Hamlin sounds worn out, it’s because he probably is. The 46-year-old, turning 47 soon, has had a brutal stretch. His 2025-26 offseason was a nightmare, starting with a tense trial where his 23XI Racing team sued NASCAR. Then, tragically, his terminally ill father died in a house fire. While going through the rubble, Hamlin re-injured his right shoulder rotator cuff, an injury he already had surgery for after the 2023 season. He’s trying to push off another surgery until after the 2027 season, saying, “I don’t have [surgery] scheduled right now.” He plans to scan it after the season to see where it stands. He’s been managing the pain, but admits, “everything just gets a little worse” late in the season. That’s a brutal mental and physical toll right there.
It’s clear Hamlin’s looking toward the end. He’s already said 2027 will be his final Cup season. He’s “content” with that timeline, wanting to win his last start. He just wants to “enjoy the last 39 races or whatever it is.” He was even more blunt about his current feelings, telling reporters, “There have been many weeks certainly over the last five or six where I’ve just been done, done with it, done with all of this.” After winning the pole at Martinsville only to finish sixth with what he felt was a winning car, that frustration is totally understandable.
So, what’s next for Hamlin? It’s the season finale on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He’s said he wants to win his last start, and with 2027 planned as his final Cup season, he’s got 39 races to try and make that happen. But for now, he’s just trying to get through the misery.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply