Denny Hamlin, aged 44, will take his final realistic shot at claiming the Indianapolis Brickyard 400 next week, thrusting his long-standing quest for this crown jewel into the spotlight. The Denny Hamlin Indianapolis Brickyard 400 pursuit has become a defining theme of his career, especially after his heartbreaking near-miss in 2020 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 victor and one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, has repeatedly articulated the significance of winning at Indianapolis. He openly describes the Brickyard as,
“The last, you know, big major win that I don’t have on my resume,”
—Denny Hamlin, champion—a stark reminder that even the most decorated racers can have unfinished business. In his stellar career, Hamlin has gathered 57 Cup Series wins, with major victories at the Daytona 500, Southern 500, and Coca-Cola 600, making the Indianapolis trophy the obvious omission from his collection.
For Hamlin, winning at the fabled venue is not just about personal pride but also honoring the deep history attached to Indianapolis. As he explained,
“Yeah, just so much history at that track. Um, just the close calls I’ve had at that one. That’s, you know, kind of the last, you know, big major win that I don’t have on my resume,”
—Denny Hamlin, champion. His respect for the event was further emphasized when he stated,
“Nothing takes away from the prestige of the actual of of winning at that track.”
—Denny Hamlin, champion. For Hamlin, Indianapolis stands as the ultimate symbol of NASCAR excellence still eluding his grasp.
The 2020 Breakdown: When Victory Slipped Away
Hamlin’s best chance at Brickyard immortality arrived in 2020. Dominating the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he held a significant 10-car lead over competitor Kevin Harvick with just seven laps remaining. Suddenly, disaster unfolded—his right front tire failed as he barreled into Turn 1, sending Hamlin crashing hard into the SAFER barrier. The dramatic wreck not only dashed his hopes in that race but also reinforced the sense of a curse hovering over his Indianapolis ambitions. The incident triggered the ninth caution of the day and left Hamlin reflecting on what might have been.
“I hate it for the FedEx team. We did what we needed to do, it just didn’t work out for us today. I had a fast car, obviously. We were stretching (the lead), but I wasn’t pushing the right front (tire) at all. It’s kind of roulette (with the tires) if you’re going to get one that’s going to stay together or not, and mine didn’t.”
—Denny Hamlin, driver.
Despite entering 16 Brickyard 400s throughout his career, Hamlin’s repeated efforts have come up short. He boasts five top-five and eight top-10 finishes and has won a pole position at the track, compiling over $2.18 million in earnings there and leading 106 laps at the legendary oval. Yet, despite consistent speed and racecraft, Hamlin has yet to convert all this into a long-awaited win at Indianapolis, making the 2020 crash a particularly poignant symbol of both his brilliance and frustration at the venue.
2025: Hamlin’s Final Bid for Brickyard Glory
As the 2025 Brickyard 400 approaches, Hamlin acknowledges the dwindling nature of his chances. Before the previous year’s event, he admitted,
“I don’t have that many chances left. It’s less than what’s on my hand, I would think.”
—Denny Hamlin, driver. Such candor highlights the mounting weight of expectation and the sense that the clock is rapidly ticking on his pursuit of Brickyard glory.
This year, Hamlin enters the Indianapolis weekend riding a wave of strong performances, securing three wins from the first 19 races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and sitting second in the playoff standings. The opportunity at Indianapolis on July 27, 2025, therefore, takes on added urgency—one last shot to complete his rare collection of wins at NASCAR’s crown jewel events, and potentially to silence the most critical voices, including his own persistent inner critic.
The broader NASCAR community is watching closely, as Hamlin’s outcome at Indianapolis will likely influence how his legacy is regarded among the sport’s all-time greats. With every lap, he edges closer not only to the history books but also to resolving a career-long, emotionally charged journey that has defined much of his recent racing narrative.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Since 2006, when he started racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has had a remarkable career. He has achieved 51 Cup Series victories, won the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020), and made millions.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. As a child, she loved dancing, which led her to perform for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now named the Charlotte Hornets. During one of the games, she met Hamlin.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has a net worth of about $65 million from his racing success, endorsement deals, team ownership, and smart real estate choices. Whether driving or managing a team, Hamlin keeps making the right decisions both on and off the track.
