Hamlin led the field to the green flag in the South Point 400, but never took the top spot outside of a pit cycle. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran ran top-five all race long and avoided a multi-car melee on lap 246, putting himself in position to capture his sixth win this season.

“I did say a prayer into three with two to go for no caution,” Hamlin said. 

The Toyota driver became the first driver in Vegas history to start from pole and win at the 1.5-mile speedway.

“I don't know if I could have scripted better,” Hamlin said. “I just can't imagine there's a win bigger for me than this one.” 

At 60 wins, Hamlin tied 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time NASCAR wins list. With the victory, Hamlin locked in the championship race for the first time since 2021. 

“I'll get nervous, certainly over the next few weeks, about [Phoenix],” Hamlin said. “There's been weird and crazy things that have kept me from winning a title or advancing to have a chance to.”

Hamlin’s stellar season is his best statistically since 2020, but this driver has a lot on his plate. 

From being involved in an ongoing lawsuit with the sanction body to being a new father, nothing seems to slow the 44-year-old down. The only thing missing from Hamlin’s resume is a Cup title.

“He's always had a great work ethic,” team owner Joe Gibbs said of Hamlin. “He's just determined, and probably what comes with that is so many years and so many great wins, but also the disappointments and not being able to win a championship.”

As the final stage unfolded, it appeared to be a heads-up match between Kyle Larson and William Byron. 

“I needed it to go green,” Larson said of leading 129 laps, his most since Spring Kansas. “I knew [Hamlin] would be very tough, because I knew that car, those Toyotas are really fast in the short run, really all run, but especially on the short run.”

Hendrick Motorsports arrived in Vegas prepared to play, starting positions in fourth through sixth, sweeping the stages between William Byron and Larson. However, Byron’s day took a nosedive with 32 laps to go. Byron collided with the pitting car of Ty Dillon, ending his run.

“I don't know what happened up there, but there was no indication that he was pitting,” Byron said. “I'll probably stew over for hours.

“I hate it for them,” Dillon said. “I don't think I did anything egregious getting on pit road. I was looking forward, trying to hit my marks and get on as efficiently as possible, because you're racing for everything out there.”

Byron enters the next playoff race at Talladega 15 points below the cutline. His teammate Chase Elliott finished 18th after an uncontrolled tire penalty, leaving him eight points behind Byron. 

Las Vegas threw Ryan Blaney another bad beat. A blown left front tire on lap 71 sent Blaney into the turn three wall and out of the race. It’s Blaney’s third-straight Vegas finish of 32nd or worse.

“Just can't have a smooth day,” Blaney said. “I'm not very happy right now, but tomorrow morning, I'll be optimistic to go to the next race. We've had good success at the next two events.

Hopefully, we can come, bring the speed and try to overcome the hole we put ourselves in.”

At plus-35, Larson shows the way for playoff drivers yet to lock into Phoenix. Christopher Bell sits 15 points behind Larson and five ahead of Briscoe. Joey Logano joins Blaney, Byron and Elliott as those in danger of elimination at Martinsville. 

The Round of 8 continues Sunday, Oct. 19, at Talladega Superspeedway for the Yellawood 500. Catch all 500 miles at Dega live on NBC and the Motor Racing Network at 2 p.m. ET.