For much of 2025, Denny Hamlin stood out not just for his superspeedway prowess, but also for the sheer frustration he vented after February’s Daytona 500. In that race, a final-lap wreck crushed his hopes of a record-tying fourth win. William Byron came away victorious. Hamlin, eliminated in the chaos, did not hold back afterward. He called the event a “f—— crapshoot” and lamented that luck had overtaken driver skill. His comments sparked debate across NASCAR, with even the sport’s president defending the showpiece format. That bitterness set the stage for an unexpected twist following the summer Daytona race.

The Daytona 500 rant carried weight because Hamlin is no stranger to the venue. With three wins, more than 600 laps led, and a dozen top-10 finishes, Hamlin ranks among the most

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