Denny Hamlin Legacy: Denny Hamlin, the winningest non-champion in NASCAR Cup Series history, has left an indelible mark on the sport with 51 victories but no championship to his name. As the 2023 season came to a close, Ryan Blaney secured his first Cup Series title, emphasizing the trend of drivers winning races without claiming the ultimate prize.
In the annals of NASCAR, only a select few have amassed significant wins without clinching a championship. Hamlin surpassed legends like Junior Johnson and Mark Martin in the non-champion victory count, with a tally of 51. The list includes notable names such as Fireball Roberts, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Fred Lorenzen, Jim Paschal, Ricky Rudd, Jeff Burton, and Jack Smith.
However, Hamlin’s pursuit of the championship remains alive, and a title win would rewrite the record books. Among the current active full-time drivers, Hamlin stands at the pinnacle with 51 wins, while the drop-off to the second position is considerable, with William Byron at 10 wins. The list features drivers like Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain, Erik Jones, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and A.J. Allmendinger.
Ryan Newman, still competing in select events, boasts 18 victories without a championship. In the broader spectrum, drivers with championships but fewer wins than Hamlin include Alan Kulwicki, Red Byron, and Bill Rexford. Brad Keselowski leads in the 10 to 50-win range among champions, while Kyle Busch and Joey Logano showcase their multi-time champion status.
As the racing community looks ahead to the 2024 season, the question loomswill Denny Hamlin finally clinch the championship or add more victories to his remarkable non-champion legacy?
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is Denny Hamlin known for?
With more than 500 NASCAR Cup Series career starts under his belt, Denny is now the longest-tenured driver at Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s proven his versatility on the track with victories at 16 out of the 24 race tracks that host NASCAR Cup Series races. From short tracks to intermediate tracks, superspeedways to road courses, Denny has shown he can win on any style of track.
Has Denny Hamlin ever won a championship?
Despite having an impressive Cup résumé with 51 wins and three Daytona 500 trophies, Denny Hamlin has yet to secure a NASCAR Cup Series championship. He has finished in the top-5 in the standings for eight seasons, but this coveted title still eludes him.
Does FedEx still sponsor Denny Hamlin?
Joe Gibbs Racing will welcome back Denny Hamlin for the 2024 NASCAR season. However, FedEx has yet to confirm an extension of their partnership with Hamlin and the team. Despite a decrease in their involvement in NASCAR over the past few years, it is anticipated that the company will continue to support Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing.
How did Denny Hamlin make his money?
Denny Hamlin’s achievements both on and off the track have resulted in a net worth of around $65 million. Since his debut in the Cup Series, he has been sponsored by FedEx, with Joe Gibbs Racing securing additional support from Coca-Cola and Mavis Tyres & Brakes. These partnerships have undoubtedly contributed to Hamlin’s continued success in the racing world.