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Denny Hamlin wins Las Vegas pole, full NASCAR Cup Series qualifying results

JHby: Jonathan Howard10/11/25Jondean25
Denny Hamlin
Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

For the 47th time in his career, Denny Hamlin has won the Cup Series pole. He will start P1 to begin the Round of 8 at Las Vegas. Joe Gibbs Racing swiped the top-three spots in qualifying. First time a team has done that this year, and first time for JGR since 2020.

Denny Hamlin looks like he’s ready to race for a win tomorrow. He’s done it before at Vegas, and he is hoping that his pole position gives him the edge he needs to win this race.

If Hamlin can snag the checkered flag tomorrow, he moves on to Phoenix and the Championship 4. A lot is on the line for Sunday.

This is the fourth pole of Denny Hamlin’s season. He has been great on speed all year long, and JGR has won a ton of pole awards between him and Chase Briscoe alone. The work is not finished, but Hamlin has a great starting spot for Sunday’s playoff race.

Everyone talks about wanting to do well at Las Vegas. Winning gives a playoff driver a ticket to Phoenix and two extra weeks to prepare. Not to mention, the peace of mind that comes with that ticket to the Championship 4.

The top-six drivers are all in the NASCAR Playoffs. Joey Logano (P9) and Ryan Blaney (P14) lagged behind. You can’t give those Team Penske Fords any sliver of a chance to win. Everyone is going to be putting maximum pressure on those two to keep them from getting a berth to Phoenix. Full qualifying results below:

Denny Hamlin points to gambling for comms crackdown

The NASCAR Playoffs have created the conditions for drivers to fudge with points and running position. We have seen teams “manipulate” finishes and figure out how to help teammates advance, and this or that.

Now, NASCAR doesn’t want anyone to really discuss points. Except for those on the cutline? It’s confusing, and Denny Hamlin thinks that a recent trend in sports is to blame, at least partially.

“All situations are different,” Hamlin said in a pre-practice media availability at Las Vegas. “If you watch a college football game today, there’s going to be a spread, somebody will be leading with 3 seconds on the clock, and they’re going to run backwards into the endzone and get a safety, and it could change what money’s changed hands. So, like, they chose what’s best strategy for them, they didn’t care about your bets or whatever it might be, right?

“I think some of the sensitivity around this is obviously, probably gambling-focused. Because I know NASCAR is very, very sensitive, as they should be, with that, to make sure everyone’s getting a fair shake. But on the racetrack, I feel as though, as long as you don’t have a bias to one party or another, yeah, I don’t know why you can’t make the best decision for yourself. Because the points are about to reset. That was a cutoff race, for me personally, whether I finished 17th or 18th meant zero, nothing.

“At that point, then, I actually gain the advantage by being able to choose, if I so choose, if I wanted to. But I don’t know whether that’s, I still don’t know whether that’s acceptable or not. It was a very weird situation, it was a very unique one. It may or may not come up again at some point. But I’m wondering, are people going to be allowed to intentionally wreck? I said on my podcast what I did to Chastain at Phoenix. I don’t know how it’s any different whatsoever. I’m not saying there should be a penalty for Ross or anything but an intentional wreck is an intentional wreck. What’s the difference? So, I certainly would like that clarification sooner than later. So, we all know what to expect.”