Hamlin left disappointed after Ware spin denies him Kansas win

For the second straight race at Kansas Speedway, Denny Hamlin found himself racing one of the cars he co-owns in overtime for the win. This time ended in cleaner fashion with one of 23XI Racing’s cars in victory lane, but came with a familiar feeling of disappointment after circumstances denied Hamlin his fifth Kansas victory.

For a brief moment, it appeared Hamlin had caught the ultimate break. A decision to undercut leader Christopher Bell on a day ruled by tire management over length green-flag runs had sent the 45-year-old to the front of the field, but 2026 dominator Tyler Reddick had chased his team owner down over the ensuing run to the checkered flag with four-lap fresher tires and retaken the lead.

Hamlin had briefly challenged Reddick in an effort to retake the lead, but appeared out of range for a final dive.

Then, suddenly, Reddick slowed – his No. 45 Toyota seemingly out of fuel. Reddick briefly stalled and drifted up to the outside wall with just two laps remaining, allowing Hamlin to slip through for what was poised to be a surprising win.

And then, just as quickly, another curveball arrived. Cody Ware, riding in last and six laps down from the leaders, spun just ahead of the leaders with what Rick Ware Racing claimed was a flat right-rear tire.

NASCAR was forced to put out the yellow. And just like that, a race that had been run nearly in its entirety without a single accident of note was going to overtime.

That proved to be the death knell for Hamlin’s hopes. His No. 11 team was able to keep the 61-time winner up front with a two-tire call on pit road, but Hamlin fell victim to an opportunistic Kyle Larson on the ensuing overtime restart and found himself trapped in the middle lane going into Turn 1.

Allowing Larson through was a mistake Hamlin has made before.

“I fell for the same move that the 5 (Larson) got me (with) a couple years ago when I was on the inside,” Hamlin said afterward. “So I’ve just got to learn from those mistakes that I’ve (made) and not executing those last few laps.”

The rest of Hamlin’s final laps were defined by misfortune with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates. Bell jumped to the outside of Hamlin and Reddick only to get nudged into the outside wall at the exit of Turn 2. He saved the car, but slid down into Hamlin and pushed the veteran below the apron.

That compromised Hamlin’s entrance to Turn 3 and allowed Reddick to slip past him en route to his fifth win in nine races. Teammate Chase Briscoe then came soaring up to Hamlin with four fresh tires and dove under him. He slid up the track and ultimately pushed Hamlin’s No. 11 up into the wall when he refused to lift.

The contact didn’t ultimately cost Hamlin anything. He kept control of his No. 11 Toyota and soldiered on undaunted. But the best the Virginian could manage by overtime’s end was fourth.

Hamlin’s disappointment was palpable on pit road after the race.

“It’s not winning, obviously,” Hamlin said when asked what was most frustrating about his day.. “It’s Cody Ware, six laps down, wrecking. I don’t know. Just add it up.”

If there’s any consolation, it’s that Hamlin didn’t get the worst of the final two-lap dash. That nod went to Bell, who dropped to 20th after his contact with the wall and Hamlin off Turn 2. By surviving his multiple close calls, Hamlin made up enough points to overtake Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney for second in the championship standings.

But the end result was another Kansas near-miss and yet another potential win that slipped away in dubious fashion after a late caution. At least this one wasn’t for the championship.