Denny Hamlin’s pursuit of a long-awaited NASCAR Cup Series championship is again in focus this season, following his fourth win and consistent performance, and the conversation is gaining momentum among insiders as he continues his Denny Hamlin Cup Series title chase. Veteran voices like Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace have weighed in, analyzing Hamlin’s current form and prospects as he aims for his first title with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Strong Track Record and Continued Search for a Title
Denny Hamlin has tallied 58 wins in 706 Cup Series starts, establishing himself as one of the most successful active drivers. His four victories so far this season have come at Martinsville Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Michigan International Speedway, and Dover Motor Speedway. Despite his consistent success and a strong season, Hamlin has never secured a NASCAR Cup Series championship, and he is pushing to achieve this milestone in the 2025 season.
On the Herm & Schrader podcast, Ken Schrader, alongside Kenny Wallace, spoke candidly about Hamlin’s career and performance. Schrader addressed both Hamlin’s strengths and past frustrations, providing an experienced insider’s take:
“I’ve not always been a huge supporter of Denny. It just aggravated me that he could not run a race and go down pit road every time, every race and not get a penalty. Oh, pit road speed. But one thing that he can do, he’s always been able to do, and he can still do, is win races. He cleanly screwed them guys over that kept trying to pass him.”
—Ken Schrader, NASCAR Veteran
Schrader went on to highlight Hamlin’s enduring skill and the reason he remains a contender for the title:
“Another thing he hasn’t done yet but he can do is win a championship can’t take him out of the mix. He wanted with just a whole lot of talent and experience, and just guilt, he just he drove that car,” he added.
—Ken Schrader, NASCAR Veteran
Currently, Hamlin sits fourth in the Cup Series points standings with 663 points, including four wins, eleven top-10 finishes, and ten top-five results from 20 starts, along with one pole position so far.
Intense Duel With Teammate Chase Briscoe at Dover
Hamlin’s latest achievement came at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, marking his 58th career win. The race was particularly challenging due to a tough contest with teammate Chase Briscoe during the final stage, highlighting the competitive atmosphere within the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
In a post-race interview with Cup Scene, Hamlin spoke openly about the unique pressures of racing against a teammate:
“Yeah, that’s the toughest, it’s the toughest line to walk truthfully because if it is someone else, you don’t mind running them up in the fuzz, right? If it’s a teammate, you gotta sit down, you gotta see that guy tomorrow afternoon. So it’s just a little different in that aspect.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Reflecting on the tense final laps, Hamlin further explained the precautions he and teammate Chris took to protect Joe Gibbs Racing’s results:
“But you know, when we went back, right before we went back, Chris and I were walking back to our cars, and I said, “Just don’t wipe me out.” I was just, you know, I was afraid with him on, you know, we got old tires. I don’t know what the grip level of the track is. I just didn’t want JGR to clean itself out and then, you know, somebody else win it,” Hamlin added.
—Denny Hamlin, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Looking Ahead to the Brickyard 400
Denny Hamlin is now preparing for one of the most important races of the season, the Championship Round—Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27. With his 59th career win in sight and momentum on his side, Hamlin’s campaign for the Cup Series title remains firmly alive. As the season advances, scrutiny continues from NASCAR insiders, fellow drivers, and fans, all watching to see if Hamlin can finally secure the championship that has so far eluded his accomplished career.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. He has achieved 51 Cup Series wins.
Hamlin has also won the Daytona 500 three times, in 2016, 2019, and 2020, and has earned a lot of money throughout his career.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. Their first meeting was awkward, but they connected well during their second meeting and started dating in 2007. Despite some challenges, they have stayed together.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Thanks to his achievements in racing, profitable advertising partnerships, expanding ownership of a race team, and strategic property investments, Denny Hamlin has a net worth of about $65 million. Hamlin excels both as a driver and in business, consistently making wise decisions in every area.
Q. Why was Denny Hamlin dq?
A. Reason for Hamlin and Busch’s Disqualification at Pocono: An extra unauthorized layer of tape was found on the nose near the front wheel wells.
