Denny Hamlin’s hopes of finally capturing his first NASCAR Cup Series championship took another major hit Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Despite finishing eighth in the YellaWood 500, Hamlin finds himself in a difficult position with just two races remaining in the 2026 season.
Kyle Larson’s dramatic victory changed the championship picture, giving the defending champion a commanding 73-point lead over Hamlin. With the season rapidly approaching its conclusion, the question now becomes whether the Joe Gibbs Racing driver can pull off one final comeback.
Hamlin Faces an Uphill Battle
Hamlin entered the 2026 Chase as the No. 1 seed after putting together an impressive regular season. The veteran driver collected four victories and established himself as one of the strongest championship contenders.
However, the postseason has been a different story.
While Hamlin has managed to remain near the top of the standings, mistakes, mechanical issues and unfortunate circumstances have prevented him from consistently challenging for victories.
Talladega offered another example. Hamlin survived a major accident and managed to keep his No. 11 Toyota competitive despite sustaining damage. He was even in contention during the closing laps before contact disrupted his momentum, leaving him with an eighth-place finish.
Meanwhile, Larson capitalized on the chaos to secure the victory and extend his advantage.
Can Hamlin Still Win the Championship?
Although Hamlin’s championship hopes have taken a significant hit, he has not been mathematically eliminated.
With two races remaining, there are still opportunities to gain ground. Martinsville Speedway presents an especially important opportunity for Hamlin, who has historically performed well at the Virginia short track.
However, the challenge is enormous. Hamlin needs strong finishes while hoping Larson encounters trouble or fails to collect enough points to maintain his advantage.
The pressure will be on Hamlin and the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization to deliver when it matters most.
Another Heartbreaking Ending?
Hamlin has spent years chasing the one accomplishment missing from his Hall of Fame-caliber career. His four victories this season demonstrate that he still has the speed to compete for a championship.
Unfortunately, speed alone might not be enough.
The championship is not officially out of reach, but Hamlin’s chances are quickly fading. Unless he produces a major performance at Martinsville and Larson finally stumbles, 2026 could become another painful chapter in Hamlin’s pursuit of his first Cup Series title.