AVONDALE, Ariz. — Dennis Hamlin took out multiple mortgages on his Virginia home, maxed out every credit card and nearly went broke trying to get his son into NASCAR.

Denny Hamlin made it 21 years ago — driving for Joe Gibbs, no less! — and his resume boasts 60 career wins, three Daytona 500s among that tally. There's not much left for his son to do at 44 years old.

Except win a championship, of course. Denny Hamlin is widely considered the greatest driver to never win the Cup and goes into Phoenix Raceway as the sympathetic favorite to win the championship in NASCAR's winner-take-all finale.

Dennis Hamlin will not be here. He's too sick to travel.

Hamlin says his father is dying.

“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don't want him going and never getting

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