LAS VEGAS — Denny Hamlin became the first driver to lock in a spot in NASCAR's championship-deciding finale, winning Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his career-goal 60th Cup Series triumph.

Hamlin, considered the best driver in NASCAR history to never win a Cup title, is back in the winner-take-all title race for the first time since 2021. The winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history is tied for 10th on NASCAR's career victories list with Kevin Harvick.

Hamlin, who was emotional two weeks ago when he failed to win at Kansas Speedway in a victory he hoped to dedicate to his ailing father, made good on it at Las Vegas. He said the win was for his father, who also was rooting for his son to hit the 60-win mark. Hamlin seemed to have tears in his eyes when he drove his Toyota to

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