Hamlin earns first Championship 4 berth with Las Vegas win

Denny Hamlin rallied late to win the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, scoring the 60th victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career and clinching the first berth in the Championship 4. Starting from the pole, Hamlin charged from sixth on a late restart, passed Kyle Larson and teammate Chase Briscoe in the closing laps and held the lead by 1.533 seconds at the checkered flag.

Hamlin’s victory came after a decisive pit call late in the 267‑lap race. Crew chief Chris Gayle called for four fresh tires on a stop with 14 laps remaining, putting Hamlin into position to slice through the field in the race’s final 10 laps. Hamlin led only nine laps in the event but converted timing, tire strategy and track position into a win that also locked his spot in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on November 2.

“This win means a lot. I appreciate you all so much,” Hamlin said in Victory Lane, visibly emotional as he dedicated the triumph to his ailing father. He credited his pit crew and Gayle’s call for turning the race around. The victory is Hamlin’s sixth of the season, the most of any driver in 2025, and ties him with Kevin Harvick for 10th on NASCAR’s all‑time wins list.