Christopher Bell’s Phoenix Triumph Sparks Controversy as Hamlin and Larson Voice Frustrations
In a heart-pounding finish at Phoenix Raceway, Christopher Bell clinched his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory, edging out teammate Denny Hamlin and rival Kyle Larson in what became the second-closest finish in the track’s history. The race, marked by a dramatic two-lap shootout following a late caution flag, saw Bell fend off Hamlin by a mere 0.049 seconds, with Larson trailing just 0.097 seconds behind in third. While Bell celebrated a monumental win, the aftermath revealed raw emotions from Hamlin and Larson, whose near-misses left them grappling with frustration and what-ifs in a race that showcased both the thrill and the agony of NASCAR’s elite competition.
The race’s climax unfolded after a caution flag triggered by Bell’s teammate Ty Gibbs’ brake issues set the stage for a nail-biting restart. Bell, piloting the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, found himself under siege as Hamlin and Larson seized their chance to dethrone the streaking victor. Exiting Turn 4, the trio went wheel-to-wheel, with Larson even nudging Bell’s rear bumper in a desperate bid for the lead. Yet Bell’s composure held firm, securing the win and etching his name deeper into the 2025 season’s narrative. “Man, whenever you’re sitting there dreaming it up, that’s about as ugly as it gets,” Bell told Fox Sports post-race, reflecting on the chaotic final laps that tested his mettle. For Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), the one-two finish with Hamlin was a triumph, but the victory was bittersweet for Hamlin, who admitted the sting of losing to a teammate cuts deeper than most defeats.
Denny Hamlin, a veteran with a fierce competitive edge, was poised to steal the win in the final corner, leveraging a strong restart and a push from Larson on the front stretch. “I knew he was going to ship it in there,” Hamlin said of Bell’s aggressive move that sent both cars up the track. Despite narrowly avoiding the wall, Hamlin couldn’t capitalize, finishing second in what he called a “great finish” for JGR, though his tone betrayed his disappointment. His runner-up result marked his best finish of the season and earned him valuable stage points—eighth in Stage 1 and sixth in Stage 2—but the elusive victory remained out of reach. Hamlin’s frustration was palpable in his post-race comments, where he acknowledged the stellar work of his Sport Clips pit crew but couldn’t mask his desire to be the top dog at JGR. “Losing to teammates hurts even more,” he admitted, hinting at the internal rivalry fueling his drive as he eyes upcoming races at tracks like Vegas, Homestead, and Bristol, where he’s historically excelled.
Kyle Larson, meanwhile, found himself in a familiar position—agonizingly close to victory yet settling for third. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had a golden opportunity to exploit the JGR duo’s battle, nearly slipping through as they drifted up the track on the final lap. “I felt like that was my only hope,” Larson reflected, noting his decision to avoid a risky three-wide move into Turn 3 that could have ended in disaster. Instead, he played the long game, hoping for a tangle between Bell and Hamlin that never materialized. His third-place finish was commendable, but for a driver who has tasted victory so often, the near-miss stung. Larson’s measured approach showcased his racing intellect, but it also left fans wondering if a bolder move might have rewritten the race’s conclusion.
The Phoenix race wasn’t without its share of chaos, with 11 caution flags slowing the pace, including a massive multi-car pileup on Lap 99 that eliminated seven contenders. Yet it was the final two laps that stole the spotlight, amplifying the stakes for Bell, Hamlin, and Larson. For Bell, the win solidified his status as the Cup Series’ hottest driver, matching his personal best for most victories in a season after just four races in 2025. His resurgence since a front-row crash at the Daytona 500 has been nothing short of spectacular, with thrilling wins in Atlanta, COTA, and now Phoenix. But for Hamlin and Larson, the race underscored the fine margins that define NASCAR’s elite level—margins that left them both frustrated yet hungry for redemption.
As the dust settles on Phoenix, the question lingers: were Hamlin and Larson justified in their frustration? For Hamlin, losing to a teammate in such dramatic fashion is a bitter pill, even if it showcased JGR’s dominance. For Larson, another close call adds to a narrative of near-misses in a season where every point matters. The raw emotion from both drivers only heightens the anticipation for their next showdown, proving once again that in NASCAR, every lap—and every inch—counts. What do you think—did Bell’s win cement his dominance, or did Hamlin and Larson deserve a shot at glory? Let the debate rage on as the season heats up.
