Clint Bowyer reacts to Denny Hamlin heartbreak amid celebrating Kyle Larson NASCAR Championship

After the finish to the Phoenix race and NASCAR championship, even Clint Bowyer had to feel sorry for Denny Hamlin. It is one of those moments that you want to celebrate and enjoy. Bowyer is good buddies with Larson; their kids race together. But tonight was strange.

Clint Bowyer has been around NASCAR and racing for a long time. He’s seen heartache and bad beats in the past. Tonight felt like one of those unbelievable moments in sports that shatters hopes and dreams.

Kyle Larson stole one. Denny Hamlin lost one. What more is there to say?

“I [be] damned…..so pumped for [Kyle Larson],” Bowyer posted on Twitter. “However….I’m not sure there’s ever been a worse heart breaker in [NASCAR] than what Hamlin just experienced.”

Clint Bowyer is right, it was a heartbreaker. Just absolutely gut-wrenching to watch. But Kyle Larson was one of the best drivers all season long. He likely would have won the season-long points championship if it were set up for that format. But to see Hamlin lose in that fashion is just bitter.

There have been many battles between Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson in recent years. This is another chapter in that friendly rivalry, and perhaps the biggest blow that either driver has given the other up to this point. That is saying something when Hamlin put Larson in the wall a couple of times in 2023.

Denny Hamlin doesn’t want to race a car ‘ever again’

Right now, Denny Hamlin and everyone who watched are still processing what happened. William Byron apologized to Denny, even if his wreck and the late caution caused his Hendrick teammate, Kyle Larson, to win the title. The mood at Phoenix Raceway has been strange, to say the least.

After the race, Hamlin answered questions from the media. When asked about whether NASCAR should eliminate overtime in the final race of he season, Hamlin didn’t really have an answer.

“I don’t know. Golly,” Denny Hamlin said. “In this moment, I never want to race a car ever again. My fun meter’s pegged.”

During his media availability, Hamlin was flat. He really didn’t know how to react to what had just happened and didn’t have many answers, either. It is just one of those things you can’t control. Another year of disappointment for the 11 team. But next year always brings another opportunity, and a new points system. I’m sure Hamlin will be #A11-In once again.