AVONDALE, Ariz. -- It's all lining up for Denny Hamlin to shed his title as NASCAR's greatest driver to never win a championship.

Hamlin, in his 20th full season, won the pole at Phoenix Raceway in Sunday's winner-take-all NASCAR championship finale. The Cup will be awarded to the highest finisher among Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe , and William Byron and Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports.

Hamlin will lead the field to green for the final race of a season in which he won a series-high six races, his victory at Las Vegas last month the milestone 60th of his career. That win locked him into the finale with three weeks to prepare -- his car and mentality -- and has him relaxed and joking ahead of the biggest race of his life.

"I think the benefit was winnin

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