Denny Hamlin's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Denny Hamlin. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Denny Hamlin is a prominent American professional stock car racing driver, currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE. Beyond driving, Hamlin is also a team owner, co-owning and operating 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan. He has had a successful career as a driver, achieving numerous wins and establishing himself as a significant figure in NASCAR.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1997: Won WKA Manufacturers Cup

By 1997, at the age of 15, Denny Hamlin had won the WKA Manufacturers Cup.

2002: Ten Late Model Victories

In 2002, Denny Hamlin achieved ten victories in Late Model races, showcasing his growing talent and success in the sport.

2003: 25 Wins and 30 Poles in Late Model

In 2003, Denny Hamlin had a successful season in Late Model Stock Cars, securing 25 wins and 30 pole positions out of 36 races.

2004: Kurt Busch's NASCAR Cup Series Championship

For the 2022 season, the team expanded to a two-car operation with the addition of the No. 45, driven by 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch.

June 11, 2006: First Cup Series Win at Pocono

On June 11, 2006, Denny Hamlin secured his first Cup Series win at the Pocono 500, also achieving his second career pole.

2006: Impressive Rookie Season

In 2006, Denny Hamlin had an impressive rookie season, finishing third in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings.

2006: Hamlin wins both Pocono races in rookie year

In 2006, during his rookie year, Denny Hamlin won both Pocono races, marking the beginning of a successful career.

August 3, 2009: Fifth Career Cup Win at Pocono

On August 3, 2009, Denny Hamlin secured his fifth career Cup win at Pocono Raceway. He confidently declared his intent to win before the final restart and surged from sixth to first, breaking a 50-race winless streak. This victory marked his third at Pocono.

October 25, 2009: TUMS Fast Relief 500 Win

On October 25, 2009, Denny Hamlin held off Jimmie Johnson to win the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. This victory contributed to his impressive 5th place finish in the overall standings for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

March 29, 2010: Martinsville Speedway Win

On March 29, 2010, Denny Hamlin won the rain-postponed race at Martinsville Speedway, finishing ahead of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon.

April 19, 2010: Win at Texas After Knee Surgery

On April 19, 2010, just three weeks after undergoing knee surgery, Denny Hamlin returned to racing at Texas, where he secured his 10th career win. He passed Jeff Burton and held off Jimmie Johnson to win.

2010: Southern 500 Win

In 2010, Denny Hamlin achieved a victory in the Southern 500 race.

2010: Victories at Darlington and Pocono

In 2010, Denny Hamlin had a successful season, including victories at Darlington Raceway and Pocono Raceway. He secured his third win of 2010 on May 8 at Darlington Raceway, becoming the first driver to sweep both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events since Mark Martin in 1993. He also dominated the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 Presented by Target at Pocono Raceway, earning his 12th career win.

April 22, 2012: Kansas Victory

On April 22, 2012, Denny Hamlin secured his second victory of the year at Kansas, outlasting Martin Truex Jr.

2016: Daytona 500 Victory

In 2016, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 race.

2016: Hamlin wins Daytona 500 in closest finish in history

In 2016, Denny Hamlin, with new crew chief Mike Wheeler, won the Sprint Unlimited. In the Daytona 500 in 2016, Hamlin passed his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth for the lead on the final lap and prevailed over Martin Truex Jr. by just 0.011 seconds, marking the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.

2017: Hamlin's Southern 500 win

In 2017, Denny Hamlin secured his second Southern 500 win and also won at New Hampshire in July.

2019: Daytona 500 Victory

In 2019, Denny Hamlin achieved victory at the Daytona 500.

2019: Hamlin wins Daytona 500, suffers carbon monoxide poisoning

In 2019, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 and suffered carbon monoxide poisoning during the spring race at Dover.

2019: Hamlin announces shoulder injury, advances to Championship 4

On November 1, 2019, Denny Hamlin announced a torn Glenoid labrum in his left shoulder. Despite the injury, he secured his fifth win of the season at Kansas and advanced to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2014.

2020: Hamlin Wins Third Daytona 500 Amidst Controversy

In 2020, Denny Hamlin won his third Daytona 500, but the victory was overshadowed by Ryan Newman's crash and subsequent controversy over Hamlin's post-race celebration.

2020: Daytona 500 Win

In 2020, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500.

2020: Fourth Win of the Season

In 2025, Hamlin won his fourth race of the season at Dover; his most since 2020.

September 5, 2021: Hamlin wins Southern 500

On September 5, 2021, Denny Hamlin won the Southern 500 at Darlington for the third time, securing a spot in the Round of 12 in the Playoffs.

October 4, 2021: Bubba Wallace's First Cup Series Victory

On October 4, 2021, Bubba Wallace secured his first career Cup Series victory at Talladega, making history as the first African-American driver to win a Cup race since Wendell Scott in 1963.

2021: Southern 500 Win

In 2021, Denny Hamlin secured another victory at the Southern 500.

May 16, 2022: Kurt Busch's Win at Kansas Speedway

On May 16, 2022, Kurt Busch delivered 23XI's second win at Kansas Speedway, leading 116 of 267 laps.

2022: Coca-Cola 600 Victory

In 2022, Denny Hamlin secured a significant victory at the Coca-Cola 600.

2023: Victory at Darlington in Xfinity Series

In 2023, Denny Hamlin returned to the Xfinity Series after a two-year hiatus. In September, he drove Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 19 car to victory at Darlington.

2024: Win at Bristol, Engine Violation Penalty

In 2024, Denny Hamlin won the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, and later secured a win at Bristol, which marked the first spring race on the concrete track since 2020. However, on August 22, the No. 11 team faced an L2 penalty after an engine inspection violation. Toyota Racing Development admitted that the race-winning engine from Bristol had been rebuilt instead of inspected by NASCAR.

2025: Daytona 500 Wreck, Sponsorship Deal, and Wins

In 2025, Denny Hamlin started the season leading the Daytona 500 before being wrecked. On March 18, Progressive Insurance signed a deal to be the primary sponsor of the No. 11 car for 18 races. Later that month, Hamlin won at Martinsville, his first win at the track in a decade. During the season, he also scored wins at Darlington and Michigan.