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Emotional Denny Hamlin breaks down in tears after winning NASCAR playoff race at Las Vegas

ProfilePhotoby: Nick Geddes10/13/25NickGeddesNews
Denny Hamlin
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin had tears in his eyes after taking the checkered flag in Sunday’s Round of 8 playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This one meant a lot to Hamlin — in more ways than one.

Las Vegas was win No. 60 of his NASCAR Cup Series career, tying him with Kevin Harvick for 10th-most all-time and clinching him a spot in the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. But beyond that, Hamlin’s mind went directly to his father, Dennis, who hasn’t been doing well back at home. Hamlin wanted to win for his dad; he did just that at Las Vegas.

“Definitely means a lot,” Hamlin told Marty Snider of NBC Sports. “This is the point where I usually give the fans some sh*t but not today. I appreciate all of you so much. Obviously want to say hi to my dad, family back at home, all the friends that came out here hoping we get 60. I didn’t think we were. Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”

Denny Hamlin gets 60

Hamlin spent seven hours in the sim as he prepared for the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas. All of that extra work paid off, as he qualified on the pole. Though he led just nine laps and had a long pit stop in Stage 3, he stayed in the hunt and made his move for the lead with three laps to go.

Hamlin first got by Kyle Larson, and he then passed Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe. He gave credit to crew chief Chris Gayle for “getting the car just right” on their final pit stop.

“Chris did an amazing job on that final stop getting the car just right. I just held it down,” Hamlin said. “It’s all I could do just to go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose, just go for it and try to punch a ticket now. Man, this one feels great. … Just super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did. Pit crew for doing a great job all day. … I don’t know what to say. It was very unexpected. The last 15 laps I didn’t think we were going to win. I knew I was going to give it all I had.”

At 44, Hamlin is still chasing that first championship. He knows he doesn’t have many chances remaining, and he looks as determined as ever to get it done this season. Hamlin will be there at Phoenix, racing for a championship alongside three other drivers.