Joe Gibbs' message to Denny Hamlin after a Cup Series championship defeat sounded like goodbye until fans replayed the audio following NASCAR's Phoenix finale

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” Paulo Coelho famously once wrote in The Alchemist. And for Denny Hamlin, the 2025 NASCAR season felt like living proof of that idea.

The end of the championship race at Phoenix on Sunday was one to remember. Or if you’re Denny Hamlin, probably one to try to forget. Hamlin had the unfortunate distinction of falling victim to a late caution when he seemed otherwise poised to run away with the win.

Steve Letarte and Kyle Petty defend Chris Gayle's decision to change all the tires on Denny Hamlin's car during the final pit stop at Phoenix.

Denny Hamlin was unable to finally end his two-decade championship winless streak in the 2025 season as well. Despite being the winningest driver on track this year and making it through the playoff rounds,

Everything was lining up for Hamlin to claim his elusive first NASCAR Cup Series title. Then came another cruel twist of fate.

Joe Gibbs knows both of his drivers, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, deserve to win a NASCAR Cup championship, but he also knows they'll have stiff competition at Phoenix in the form of Hendrick Motorsports.

Denny Hamlin’s latest win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway not only marked his 60th Cup win but also secured him a Championship 4 spot.