Kyle Larson Feels ‘Awkward’ About Stealing The NASCAR Title From Denny Hamlin In Overtime

With four laps to go in the NASCAR finale at Phoenix Raceway, Kyle Larson was running in fifth place, about five seconds behind Denny Hamlin in the lead, resigned to the fact that he had no chance to win a second NASCAR championship. Until he did.

Seconds later, William Byron blew a tire to bring out a yellow flag and send the race into overtime. Going with a two-tire change pits stop strategy, Larson lined up for the restart in sixth ahead of Hamlin, who went for four tires, in ninth.

When it was over, Larson finished third, which was good enough to take the title over Hamlin, who got stuck back in sixth.

“I definitely have a lot of empathy for him. I said it I think in the interview I did on the stage. It’s great to celebrate and all that, but it does feel a little awkward because he has put so much time and energy, has been so close to winning so many championships. This is as close as he’s ever been,” Larson said of Hamlin, who, with 60, is the driver with the most race wins without a championship.

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“Sure he’s a competitor, but he is a friend. I was going to be happy for him to win. That’s kind of what I was thinking about. Like, man, I can’t wait to go tell him, Good job. Then the caution came out and the script flipped right there, so,” Larson recalled.

“I mean, sure I’m happy, but there’s definitely a piece of me that is sad for him, as well. I’m sure all of us in here, even the Denny haters, I’m sure there’s a spot where they’re sad, too. That’s competition. That’s the format. It’s just weird, you know? But yeah, I still hope someday he can get to feel what it’s like.”