In a dramatic showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin claimed victory over Jeff Gordon, securing the closest margin ever recorded at the track. This memorable moment fueled the Jeff Gordon New Hampshire rivalry and demonstrated Hamlin’s ability to prevail under intense pressure during the 2007 Lenox Industrial Tools 300.
Track Position Dominates New Hampshire Wins
Over the past decade, New Hampshire winners have almost always emerged from the front row, with nine out of ten most recent victors leading the most laps, highlighting the importance of starting position and track control. Despite this, Hamlin managed to rewrite the usual script in 2017 by winning after starting further back, but it was his performance a decade earlier that truly left a mark on the series.
2007: Hamlin Faces Down Jeff Gordon for a Defining Victory
The 2007 Cup race at Loudon placed Hamlin at the center of one of his career’s defining battles. Facing Jeff Gordon, then one of the sport’s leading figures and the series leader at the time, Hamlin’s nerves were tested as the laps wound down and Gordon chased closely behind him. The duel became an instant classic in New Hampshire’s racing history.
Pit Strategy Shapes the Final Outcome
A pivotal moment unfolded on lap 255 when a caution flag sent leaders to pit road. Hamlin’s bold decision to take only two new tires positioned him ahead of Gordon, Martin Truex Jr., and others, who opted for four. The risk allowed Hamlin to leapfrog from fourth place to first, setting up the final run to the checkered flag.
As the field charged toward the finish, Gordon moved past Truex in the closing laps and set his sights on Hamlin. With less than ten laps remaining, Gordon applied intense pressure, even drawing side by side at moments. Despite a fiercely contested final turn, Hamlin held his line and edged Gordon by just 0.068 seconds—the slimmest margin ever recorded for a Cup race at the venue.
“The closest margin of victory for a Cup race at New Hampshire was .068 seconds, when Denny Hamlin beat Jeff Gordon in July 2007. pic.twitter.com/UbLLqQQruU” — nascarman (@nascarman_rr)
Hamlin Shares His Nerves and Strategy
After the race, Hamlin described what it was like to withstand the onslaught from a legendary rival:
“You see Jeff coming and you’re trying your best to not be the guy who chokes at the end. I was all over the track those last two laps. I was basically just trying not to give up the bottom…” — Denny Hamlin, Driver
“We were back in sixth and seventh most of the day, and the only shot we had was to get track position. Two tires worked for us earlier (in the race), and we kind of made a note that anything inside of 120 laps to go, we were going to do two.” — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Legacy of the Rivalry and Hamlin’s Continued Impact
That razor-thin win helped define Hamlin’s reputation as a competitor able to rise to the occasion, even under championship-level scrutiny. With legendary names such as Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. involved, the event remains a highlight of Hamlin’s career and a key moment in the Jeff Gordon New Hampshire rivalry. Even with Gordon retired, Hamlin remains a favorite among racing fans.
The recent dominance of Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota, with three consecutive playoff victories, puts Hamlin and the No. 11 team in position to secure another title. Should Hamlin add another Loudon triumph, it would reinforce his legacy and continue Joe Gibbs Racing’s postseason momentum, keeping the rivalry and competitive spirit of New Hampshire racing alive for years to come.
The closest margin of victory for a Cup race at New Hampshire was .068 seconds, when Denny Hamlin beat Jeff Gordon in July 2007. pic.twitter.com/UbLLqQQruU
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) September 19, 2025
