At age 44, Denny Hamlin is putting together one of the most important seasons of his NASCAR Cup Series career. With four wins already in the books and the 60-win milestone within striking distance, Hamlin has reasserted himself as a title contender—while navigating a year filled with both opportunity and off-track noise.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin has earned four wins in 2025, the most of any driver this season.
He sits at 58 career wins, aiming to become the 10th driver to reach 60.
A new crew chief and sponsor reshaped his approach and strengthened team chemistry.
Despite a charter lawsuit with NASCAR, Hamlin remains focused and dominant on-track.
A Cup Series title remains the one missing piece in an otherwise Hall-of-Fame career.
Strong Start to the Season
Through the first half of 2025, no driver has matched Hamlin’s performance in the win column. Victories at Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, and Dover have pushed his career total to 58, leaving him just two shy of becoming the 10th driver in NASCAR history to reach 60 Cup Series wins.
But beyond the numbers, Hamlin is showing a level of focus that’s been tested by change. Entering this season, he faced the departure of longtime sponsor FedEx and a crew chief shakeup. He admitted to being uncertain.
“I was pretty scared going into this season. I lost my crew chief and didn’t want to start all over again.” – denny hamlin
The move to pair Hamlin with Chris Gayle has proven to be a smart one. Gayle, known for his previous work developing young drivers, has helped refine rather than rebuild the No. 11 team’s approach. The result: a level of consistency and late-race execution that’s allowed Hamlin to capitalize when it matters most.
Legal Distractions, On-Track Focus
At the same time, Hamlin’s responsibilities as a co-owner of 23XI Racing have only grown heavier. The team remains involved in a high-profile lawsuit challenging NASCAR’s charter system—a dispute that’s drawn league-wide attention.
Despite the legal proceedings, Hamlin hasn’t let the off-track tension bleed into his driving. His ability to compartmentalize has been evident all season, and it’s one reason his team remains confident he can finally seal a Cup title.
“When you put him in a situation where he has the chance to win the race, he typically finds a way to do it.” – Chris Gayle
View this post on Instagram
A Veteran’s Touch
The win at Dover was a clear example. Hamlin held off teammates with fresher tires in double overtime, using track position, dirty air, and veteran awareness to secure the checkered flag. His other wins—spanning short tracks and intermediates—underscore his versatility.
In a year where Chase Elliott has focused on consistency and Kyle Larson has gambled on aggressive calls, Hamlin has struck a middle ground: calculated aggression backed by execution.
His resurgence at Martinsville was perhaps the most symbolic, breaking a winless streak at the Virginia short track that dated back more than a decade. It also marked his first win with new sponsor Progressive and came at a time when questions about his long-term trajectory had started to grow louder.
Still Chasing the Big One
Hamlin’s career résumé is Hall-of-Fame-worthy by most standards. But the absence of a championship remains a glaring hole. Three times a runner-up, Hamlin has experienced just about every type of postseason heartbreak. He’s been close—just not close enough.
He missed one race this year for the birth of his child, but received a playoff waiver and has continued to rack up points. His postseason position is secure. What remains to be seen is whether this is finally the season he breaks through.
“You want the ball in Denny’s hands at the end of the game.” – Chris Gayle
If he can add two more victories before season’s end, Hamlin will become just the 10th driver to reach 60 wins in Cup history. But the number he wants most is one: one championship to complete his legacy.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Nears 60 Career Wins
Denny Hamlin has scored four Cup Series wins in 2025—Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, and Dover—and now sits at 58 career wins. Working with new crew chief Chris Gayle and amid an ongoing legal battle with NASCAR over charters, Hamlin remains focused on capturing his first championship. With strong playoff positioning and rising momentum, 2025 could be his defining year.
ALSO READ: Denny Hamlin’s Defining Season Is Happening Right Now!
