Hamlin on title chances after another rocky day: 'You've gotta play the ball from where it lies'
A spin and splitter damage left Hamlin 16th and cost him stage points, widening his title deficit to 40 points, officials said.
- Denny Hamlin's NASCAR Cup Series championship hopes suffered a significant blow on Sunday at the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the 45-year-old finished 16th.
- The Joe Gibbs Racing driver grabbed the pole in qualifying but his race unraveled when he spun through turns 3 and 4, damaging his car's splitter during the 267-lap event.
- Because of the spin, Hamlin earned no Stage points and now trails Larson by 40 points, missing a critical opportunity to reduce his deficit entering the race.
- "I went up there to try and get a run and just spun out and obviously damaged the car," Hamlin said, citing a lack of downforce after the incident.
- With five races remaining, the Cup Series circuit moves to Charlotte Motor Speedway next Sunday, offering Hamlin a final opportunity to retake the points lead.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Chris Gayle Reflects on Las Vegas Heartbreak: ‘We Hurt It Trying to Fix Damaged Balance'
For a while, Denny Hamlin had Las Vegas right where he wanted it. Starting from the pole, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver wasted little time showing why he was chasing a third straight win at the track, leading the opening 34 laps and controlling the early pace. Then, in the space of a few crucial […]
Denny Hamlin's Title Hopes Take Crushing Blow at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin’s chances at winning an elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2026 got more challenging after Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was anything but an easy day for the driver of the No. 11, who finished 16th.Denny Hamlin’s Difficult Day in Las VegasThe beginning of the race looked […]
Denny Hamlin loses points lead ground with 16th-place result at Las Vegas
Featured StoriesNASCAR Cup Series Photo by Brecken Stock for SpeedwayMedia.com. Share Facebook X ReddIt Email Print Denny Hamlin loses points lead ground with 16th-place result at Las Vegas By Andrew Kim October 4, 2026 3 Minute Read Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube NASCAR PhotosNASCAR Photos Denny Hamlin missed an opportunity to regain ground on points leader Kyle Larson with a 16th-place result in the 2026 South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor …
Denny Hamlin loses points lead ground with 16th-place result at Las Vegas - The three-time Daytona 500 champion from Chesterfield, Virginia, was involved in a single-car spin in the closing stages of the first stage period that caused him to secure no stage points and have his deficit to Kyle Larson increase from 26 to 40 at Sin City. by Andrew Kim
The three-time Daytona 500 champion from Chesterfield, Virginia, was involved in a single-car spin in the closing stages of the first stage period that caused him to secure no stage points and have his deficit to Kyle Larson increase from 26 to 40 at Sin City.
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