INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Denny Hamlin stormed from the back of the field to claim third place in the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 27, 2025, overcoming a devastating qualifying crash to deliver a 3rd place finish in a race marked by double overtime and high drama. The 44-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver showcased resilience, navigating a chaotic 168-lap battle that saw Bubba Wallace clinch victory and Kyle Larson take second.
Hamlin’s journey began with a setback. During Saturday’s qualifying, he slammed the wall in Turn 2, spinning into the inside wall and damaging his No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE. Forced to start 39th in a backup car, Denny Hamlin faced an uphill climb on the 2.5-mile oval. Yet, by Lap 4, he had already surged to 30th, displaying the speed that made him a pre-race favorite. His progress continued steadily, with strategic pit stops and bold moves through traffic positioning him among the leaders by the final stage.
The NASCAR race, extended to 168 laps due to cautions, tested drivers’ fuel management and nerve. A light shower with six laps remaining triggered an 18-minute red flag, halting action as jet dryers cleared Turn 1. Hamlin, running near the front, capitalized on the restart, lining up alongside Larson for the final stage. A late incident involving Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick forced a second overtime, where Hamlin held firm, securing third behind Wallace’s No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota and Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Wallace won by a 0.222-second margin, leading 23 laps, while Hamlin’s fastest lap earned him a bonus point.
Hamlin’s performance underscored his mastery at Indianapolis, where he has five top-five finishes in 17 starts, despite never winning the crown jewel event. His third-place result, coupled with four wins earlier in the 2025 season, solidified his second-place standing in the playoff points. The podium finish also carried personal significance, as Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, making Wallace’s victory a team triumph. Denny Hamlin, who led 21 laps in the 2024 Brickyard 400, expressed pride in the organization’s success, even as the elusive Indianapolis trophy remained out of reach.
The race saw 15 lead changes among 10 drivers and six cautions for 28 yellow flag laps, with an average speed of 124.598 mph. Ryan Preece finished fourth, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five. Chase Briscoe, starting from the pole, led Stage 1, while Ryan Blaney claimed Stage 2. Ty Gibbs won the In-Season Challenge, defeating Ty Dillon for a $1 million prize.
Hamlin’s charge from last to third electrified the Indianapolis crowd, cementing his reputation as a fierce competitor. With four races left in the regular season, he remains a top contender for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
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