Denny Hamlin delivered another memorable performance on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, joining Richard Petty in an exclusive group as he captured his 57th career NASCAR Cup Series victory. In an eventful afternoon filled with strategy and high stakes, Hamlin’s late move secured his place among the legends of the sport, highlighting the remarkable achievement of the Richard Petty and Denny Hamlin NASCAR elite club.
Hamlin’s Historic Triumph at Michigan
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway unfolded with high drama and unexpected turns. William Byron appeared to be in total control, leading an impressive 98 laps and putting himself in prime position for another victory, but the ever-challenging fuel strategy at Michigan upended those plans late in the race.
Hamlin seized his opportunity, making a decisive pass under Byron with just four laps remaining on the clock. Byron, representing Hendrick Motorsports, then ran dry on fuel heading toward the finish, allowing Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota to race ahead as Byron’s hopes faded with less than two laps left.
The result not only handed Hamlin another checkered flag, but it also propelled him into NASCAR history. With this win, Hamlin moved past Kyle Busch to become the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing’s records, collecting his 57th Cup Series win. The victory places Hamlin among an elite group, as he became only the 10th driver to secure a win after surpassing 700 career Cup starts—a club that includes all-time greats such as Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch.
Denny Hamlin wins at Michigan, he becomes just the 10th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win with more than 700 career starts.
With 57 wins, he is now the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history, breaking a tie with Kyle Busch (56 wins) pic.twitter.com/k5R9RLVkAv
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) June 8, 2025
Despite balancing the pressures of a possible absence—his fiancée Jordan Fish is expecting their third child at any time—Hamlin overcame the odds and seized the moment, securing his place alongside NASCAR’s most decorated names.
Reaction from Fans and Fellow Drivers
While Hamlin’s drive drew admiration for its tactical brilliance, the Michigan crowd was less than enthusiastic. As Hamlin celebrated in victory lane, post-race boos filled the speedway, but Hamlin answered the crowd with a bold hand gesture, further fueling the rivalry between driver and fans.
In a season marked by challenges on and off the track, Hamlin continues juggling multiple roles. Between leading the 23XI Racing team, navigating personal milestones such as the birth of a new baby, and managing legal disputes with NASCAR related to the charter system, Hamlin showed tremendous composure and focus on race day. The final results at Michigan told the story: Buescher finished second, followed closely by Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson.
What This Win Means for Hamlin and NASCAR History
At 44 years old, with over 700 races behind him and family milestones on the horizon, Hamlin’s ability to perform under pressure stands out even among NASCAR veterans. His latest win not only sets a new standard for Joe Gibbs Racing but also cements his status within an exclusive tier of drivers—alongside legends like Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Bobby Allison—who have succeeded after 700 starts in the sport’s premier series.
As Hamlin looks forward to the challenges of fatherhood and ongoing legal battles, Sunday’s triumph offers further proof that experience and determination pay off at the highest levels of competition. The Richard Petty and Denny Hamlin NASCAR elite club now has a fresh chapter as Hamlin’s remarkable career continues to defy expectations and set new benchmarks in racing history.
