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 an accomplished American professional stock car racing driver currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. Beyond his driving career, Hamlin is a team owner, co-owning and operating 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan. This makes him a significant figure both on the track and in the business side of NASCAR.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1997: WKA Manufacturers Cup Win

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

2002: Ten Late Model Victories

In 2002, Denny Hamlin achieved ten Late Model victories, demonstrating his growing talent and success in racing.

2003: 25 Wins and 30 Poles

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

June 11, 2006: First Cup Series Win at Pocono 500

On June 11, 2006, Denny Hamlin achieved his first Cup Series win at the Pocono 500, also securing his second career pole. This marked a major milestone in his career.

2006: Remarkable Rookie Season

In 2006, Denny Hamlin had an impressive rookie season, finishing third in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings, which was one of the most remarkable rookie campaigns in modern NASCAR history.

2006: Rookie Season Wins

In 2018, Denny Hamlin ended his 12-season streak of winning at least one race. The streak dated back to his rookie year in 2006 when he won both Pocono races.

August 3, 2009: Victory at Pocono

On August 3, 2009, Denny Hamlin secured his fifth career Cup win at Pocono, breaking a 50-race winless streak. This victory was especially emotional, as it came shortly after the passing of his grandmother, Thelma Clark.

October 25, 2009: Win at Martinsville Speedway

On October 25, 2009, Denny Hamlin won the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, holding off Jimmie Johnson to secure the victory.

March 29, 2010: Win at Martinsville Speedway

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: Victory at Texas After Knee Surgery

On April 19, 2010, just three weeks after knee surgery, Denny Hamlin returned to racing and won at Texas, securing his 10th career win.

2010: Southern 500 Win

In 2010, Denny Hamlin secured a victory at the Southern 500.

2010: Second Season with At Least Six Wins

In 2019, Denny Hamlin's sixth win of the year marked the second season in his career with at least six wins, the first being in 2010 when he had eight.

April 22, 2012: Victory at Kansas

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

2012: Second Career Victory at Phoenix

In 2019, Denny Hamlin achieved his sixth win of the year at Phoenix, marking his second career victory at that track since 2012.

2014: Martinsville Victory

In 2014 at Martinsville, Denny Hamlin overcame a penalty for an uncontrolled tire to win the race, edging out Brad Keselowski by 0.3 seconds. This marked his fifth victory at Martinsville.

2014: Sprint Unlimited and Budweiser Duel Wins

In 2014, Denny Hamlin won the pole position and led all three segments of the Sprint Unlimited, ultimately winning the race. He also won the second Budweiser Duel. In the Daytona 500, Hamlin started in third place, led for 16 laps, and finished second to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2016: Daytona 500 Victory

Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 in 2016, adding a prestigious win to his career.

2016: Daytona 500 win and Martinsville wreck

In 2016, Denny Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited and the Daytona 500 by 0.011 seconds over Martin Truex Jr., the closest finish in Daytona 500 history. However, at Martinsville, Hamlin wrecked and finished 39th.

2017: Southern 500 Victory

In 2017, Denny Hamlin once again triumphed at the Southern 500.

2017: Victory at New Hampshire

In 2017, Denny Hamlin won at New Hampshire, marking his 30th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his third Cup win at Loudon, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s first victory of the 2017 season.

2017: New Hampshire and Southern 500 Wins

In 2018, Denny Hamlin's winless season ended a 12-season streak, which included his victory at New Hampshire in July and his second Southern 500 win in 2017.

2019: Darlington Xfinity and Cup Wins

In 2017 at Darlington, Denny Hamlin won both the Xfinity race and the Cup race, leading 124 of 367 laps in the Cup race. However, both wins were deemed "encumbered" due to an illegal rear suspension component, resulting in penalties.

2019: Torn Labrum, Kansas Win, and Championship 4

In 2019, Denny Hamlin announced he had a torn Glenoid labrum and would have surgery after the season. He won at Kansas, advanced to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2014, and won at Phoenix, marking his second career victory at that track since 2012.

2019: Daytona 500 Victory and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In 2019, Denny Hamlin won his second Daytona 500 and had victories at Texas, Pocono, and Bristol. He also suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning during the spring race at Dover. He advanced to the Round of 12 in the Playoffs.

2019: Daytona 500 Victory

In 2019, Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500.

2020: Second Consecutive Daytona 500 Win

In 2020, Denny Hamlin secured his second consecutive win at the Daytona 500, solidifying his place in NASCAR history.

2020: Third Daytona 500 Win and Ryan Newman Crash

In 2020, Denny Hamlin won his third Daytona 500, but the victory was overshadowed by a severe crash involving Ryan Newman. Hamlin later apologized for post-race burnouts while Newman's condition was unknown.

September 5, 2021: Southern 500 Win

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

2021: Another Southern 500 Win

Denny Hamlin won the Southern 500 in 2021, marking another significant achievement in his career.

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 won the Coca-Cola 600, adding to his list of NASCAR Cup Series victories.

2023: Xfinity Series Victory at Darlington

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

2024: Win at Busch Light Clash, Daytona 500 Wreck, Bristol Win & Engine Violation

In 2024, Denny Hamlin started the season with a win at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. At the Daytona 500, he wrecked with William Byron and finished 19th. He secured his first pole of the season at Phoenix, but spun out late. He claimed his first win of the season at Bristol. The No. 11 team faced an L2 penalty following an engine inspection violation.

2025: 2025 Season Highlights: Daytona 500, Phoenix, Progressive Sponsorship, Martinsville Win & Family News

Denny Hamlin's 2025 season included leading the final lap of the Daytona 500 before being wrecked. He secured second place at Phoenix and signed a deal with Progressive Insurance to be the primary sponsor. He won at Martinsville and waved a flag that read: "11 against the world". He also scored wins at Darlington and Michigan. Hamlin announced he would miss the Mexico City race due to the birth of his son.