Denny Hamlin stands on the brink of his first Cup Series title, a chase that’s defined his 21-year career with 60 wins. He is heading into Phoenix ranked second after his own teammate, Chase Briscoe . Hamlin’s consistency this season, with six wins and 12 top fives, has fans buzzing about his confidence. Yet with the finale just days away, every strategy made before the race counts in the showdown.

Phoenix Raceway, with its flat one-mile tri-oval, has mentally disturbed even the sharpest drivers with its demand for precise setups to battle tight or loose handling. Hamlin’s Phoenix history has mixed moments there, like two wins and a few near misses, fueling his drive. As the playoff format resets everything to a single-race gamble, his veteran instincts could tip the scales. And in a f

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