Denny Hamlin’s most recent victory at Dover marked his fourth win of the 2025 season, bringing Corey LaJoie on Denny Hamlin ranking to the forefront of NASCAR conversations. With this win, Hamlin draws closer to Kevin Harvick on the all-time wins leaderboard, fueling new questions about his place among NASCAR’s greatest drivers.
During the latest episode of Stacking Pennies, Corey LaJoie, joined by Ryan Flores, weighed in on the subject. They debated whether consistency and longevity should matter more than Cup championships when ranking drivers all-time, especially given Hamlin’s sterling career. The discussion took place as part of a fan-question segment, amplifying its impact among listeners.
The hosts quickly agreed that Hamlin belongs among the upper echelon of NASCAR talents in his era. Flores and LaJoie examined how championship titles, consistent race wins, and career longevity stack up when assessing a driver’s true legacy. Hamlin’s body of work became the central focus, as his statistics and achievements continue to attract admiration and scrutiny alike.
LaJoie and Flores Weigh Hamlin’s Place in NASCAR History
LaJoie outlined the unofficial “Mount Rushmore” of NASCAR, beginning with legendary names like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, David Pearson, Tony Stewart, Cale Yarborough, and Darrell Waltrip. He considered where Joey Logano fits, then highlighted Hamlin’s remarkable consistency and career length as determining factors.
“You’ve got your Mount Rushmore, where there’s in any particular order, Richard (Petty), Dale (Earnhardt), Jimmie (Johnson), Jeff Gordon, David Pearson, Tony Stewart…Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip… So, do you put Joey (Logano)… I think consistency, for the longevity of his career… I’d take Denny Hamlin over Kevin Harvick… without sitting here writing it down numerically, I’d put Denny eighth or ninth (all time),” LaJoie said (45:52 onwards) —Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
Currently, Hamlin sits 11th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list with 58 victories, trailing only Kyle Busch (63) among active drivers. He surpasses notable figures such as Rusty Wallace and Junior Johnson in career wins and has triumphed in 18 out of his 20 full-time seasons for Joe Gibbs Racing. The discussion recognized that even in the absence of a Cup title, Hamlin’s career-long excellence and adaptability have become increasingly significant in the sport’s historical context.
Ryan Flores contributed a slightly more conservative perspective. He remarked on Hamlin’s capabilities in a talent-rich era, suggested a top-20 overall position, but admitted that, within the last two decades, Hamlin is firmly among the top seven. The comparison included drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano, with Flores highlighting the differences from Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne in career longevity and impact.
“I’m not going that high, but definitely I’d say he’s in top 20… In the last 20 years, I’d say he’s in top seven. Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Joey (Logano). There could be arguments for like Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart. He’s better than Kasey Kahne… Now, is he better than Carl Edwards? I mean, he stayed around longer,” mentioned Flores and Lajoie responded with a resounding ‘Yes'” (47:20 onwards) —Ryan Flores & Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Insiders
Flores also underscored Hamlin’s adaptability, noting his competitive edge through distinct car generations—from steel-bodied cars to the COT and now the NEXT Gen model.
“He’s one of the guys that’s crossed over, that was great in the old steel body cars. He was great in COT cars all through the iterations of them and now into the NEXT Gen car. That’s impressive.” (48:11 onwards) —Ryan Flores, NASCAR Insider
Comparing Eras: Hamlin’s Versatility and Endurance
The conversation illustrated how the sport has evolved, comparing Hamlin’s sustained relevance to Kevin Harvick’s success during the Stewart-Haas Racing dominance. Hamlin’s enduring competitiveness over two decades, especially his return to title contention well past age 40, sets him apart from many contemporaries.
In addition to 18 playoff appearances and three Daytona 500 victories, Hamlin stands out as one of NASCAR’s most consistent front-runners. Now co-owner of 23XI Racing and a constant factor in discussions about leaders in laps led, he boasts a win ratio of .082 in the modern era—trailing only Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch among active multi-time winners when it comes to wins per start. Such metrics further reinforce LaJoie’s argument for Hamlin’s top-ten status, even without a championship.
If the sport’s ultimate prize remains the defining standard, questions about Hamlin’s resume will persist. Yet when considering his victory count, ability to adapt, and lengthy career at Joe Gibbs Racing, many insiders find his place firmly among NASCAR’s elite.
Next Up: The Brickyard 400 and the Pursuit of a Long-Awaited Win
The upcoming Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway takes on added importance for Hamlin, marking both a crucial playoff marker and the fifth round of the 2025 In-Season Challenge. With just five regular season races left, stakes remain high for all contenders.
Hamlin heads to Indianapolis with significant momentum following his Dover win, but he has yet to conquer the famed 400-mile oval, earning five top-five finishes in 16 career attempts. As Joe Gibbs Racing shows strong form and Hamlin’s confidence surges, his pursuit of victory at the Brickyard—and eventually a Cup title—remains one of the sport’s most compelling storylines.
Chase Elliott leads the current point standings with 702 points, while Hamlin holds fourth at 663. After near-misses at the Brickyard in 2010, 2020, and 2021, Hamlin will attempt to add this elusive crown to his illustrious career, which could further influence his standing in the all-time debate and quiet lingering doubts.
As the playoff picture sharpens and the conversation around Hamlin’s legacy intensifies, fans and drivers alike will be watching to see if he can further strengthen his case as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Corey LaJoie Randy LaJoie’s son?
A. He races part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, steering the No. 01 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing. He also races part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports. LaJoie is the son of Randy LaJoie, a two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion.
Q. Why is Corey LaJoie not racing?
A. Before the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded, Corey LaJoie was essentially moved from Spire Motorsports to Rick Ware Racing in exchange for Justin Haley. Haley signed a full-time contract with Spire Motorsports for the 2025 season, but LaJoie only managed to get a part-time position for 2025.
Q. Why did Corey Lajoie change teams?
A. We didn’t want to hinder his progress or ours. After discussions with Justin post-breakup, we mutually decided he should leave RWR. Clearly, we required a new strategy to continue our success this year, and bringing Corey LaJoie into RWR helps us stay on track.
