Denny Hamlin is heading into the final race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with one last opportunity to accomplish something that has eluded him throughout his legendary career: winning a Cup Series championship.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has built an impressive career, collecting 64 career victories and becoming one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers. However, a championship remains missing from his résumé. With the season finale approaching at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Hamlin is hoping to finally change that.
A Difficult Road to the Championship
Hamlin entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed and looked like a serious championship favorite. Unfortunately, the Chase has not gone according to plan.
Several difficult finishes and costly mistakes have put him in a difficult position. A tire issue at Phoenix and a challenging afternoon at Martinsville made his championship hopes even slimmer.
Hamlin currently sits third in the standings, 70 points behind championship leader Kyle Larson. Christopher Bell is also ahead of him, sitting 67 points behind Larson.
Despite the deficit, Hamlin is still mathematically eligible to win the championship.
What Hamlin Needs to Do
The situation is simple, but accomplishing it will be extremely difficult. Hamlin needs to win at Homestead and collect at least 17 stage points, or 16 stage points with the fastest-lap bonus, while also getting help from Larson.
That means Hamlin cannot afford mistakes. His team will need to make the right adjustments, execute on pit road and give him a car capable of competing for the victory.
Homestead is a track that rewards aggressive driving and tire management, two areas where Hamlin will need to excel.
Is This Finally His Year?
At 45 years old, Hamlin understands that championship opportunities are never guaranteed. He has spent years competing against NASCAR’s best, but the ultimate prize has continued to escape him.
Now, he has one final chance in 2026.
The odds are certainly against him, but Hamlin has the experience and talent to put together a memorable performance. If Larson struggles and Hamlin delivers a nearly perfect race, NASCAR could witness one of the biggest moments of his career.