Wide world of Sports said it best, “The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.”
In Phoenix today those words rang true as victory was snatched from Denny Hamlin with 3 laps to go.
“I really don’t have much for emotion right now,” Hamlin said. “Just numb about it because I’m just in shock.”
“It’s just something (that) will be one of those life lessons years down the road,” Hamlin said.
“We were 40 seconds from a championship. It’s just unfortunate,” Hamlin said. “The only difference before is the cautions came maybe a little sooner than that, but I don’t know. It’s just … gosh. You work so hard. It’s just this sport can drive you absolutely crazy because it’s just that sometimes speed, talent, all that stuff just does not matter.”
Hamlin secured his place in the Final Four by winning last week in Las Vegas for his 60th victory. The burning issue for Hamlin at this moment in time is that his father is terminally ill. This was most likely his last chance to Denny win the NASCAR Championship. Dennis is in ailing health, telling the Associated Press this week: “I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment.
The agony of defeat is that Denny fell short of that goal today. Simply, the message Hamlin had for his father is: “I did the best I could.”
“Everything I really prepared for happened today,” Hamlin said. “And I felt like we responded, losing track position at one point and just battling back. Did really well on restarts; hadn’t been good on restarts for the bulk of the year.
“The team brought a great championship car, and I felt like I drove it just right up until two laps to go. This is the part that stinks.”
“They did a great job,” Hamlin said. “We had one hiccup, but it wasn’t their fault. We got fortunate with the left-rear tire that was flat under caution (at Lap 188). They executed a great day. Man, I really wish I could have got it for them.
“While the championship … It wouldn’t have changed anything I felt truly about myself. I just wanted it so bad for everyone else, all of my supporters, all my friends and family, and whatnot. They want it so bad. Just not going to happen.”
“Even though I wasn’t around for the previous four attempts, I was around for this one, and I know the effort that he put into this one,” Gayle said. “I know how much time we spent in sim. I know the time he was looking at stuff, preparing for that qualifying lap weeks ahead. I know that.
“And that’s what I hate, is I hate that it came down to some chaotic late-race restart where we were the dominant car and didn’t get the win.”
The pivotal decision came under that final caution in overtime, taking four tires while others either stayed out or took two. Gayle stands by his call despite the end result.
“For a second, I could think, ‘Oh, well, if I took two tires…’ – I don’t know if that would have worked,” Gayle said. “The 5 (Larson) … this was their only shot, and it really was going to dictate on just how many other cars stayed and who fit between you. I think four tires was the right call. We just didn’t get clear on the bottom – and I thought for a split second we were. And the 5 got the outside run, and then it was just boxed in with chaos a little bit.”
While Larson went on to win the championship, Hamlin was joined in the media center by both Byron and Chase Briscoe, the other Championship 4 contenders who weren’t fortunate enough to bring home the title.
Hamlin was first to the desk, but Byron was next, immediately placing his hand upon Hamlin’s shoulder and apologizing: “Sorry, man.”
Hamlin responded: “It happens.” Byron reiterated his thoughts, though: “You deserved it.”
On the thrill of victory side was Kyle Larson winning his 2nd NASCAR Championship. It as a solid call by his crew chief to take 2 tires on the pit stop brought on by William Byron’s tire issue that brought the field back together and allowed Larson to have a chance after not a great afternoon.
While the Hendrick crew along with Larson and his family celebrated, Denny sat in his car stunned.
We will dig deeper into Larson’s win in out next issue.
Article: Chuck Null
Photos: Ralph Garci
