Denny Hamlin has spent much of his time since Sunday thinking about the championship that got away. But not long after the conclusion to the NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway, in which Kyle Larson outdueled Hamlin for the 2025 title,

Ryan Blaney finally broke through for his first win at the 1-mile track, but Kyle Larson stole the show in surviving an exhilarating overtime finish to become a two-time champion.

Hamlin driving to the front happened over and over again, to the point where it was abundantly clear who had the best car, and which driver executed when the lights were brightest at Phoenix Raceway....