Denny Hamlin, the oldest active driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, reached a significant Denny Hamlin NASCAR milestone during the Kansas race, showing that even at 44, his competitive edge remains razor-sharp. Despite narrowly missing a win, Hamlin’s achievement places him among NASCAR legends, redefining expectations for both his career and the sport itself.
Hamlin Continues to Defy Expectations
With more than twenty years in NASCAR, Denny Hamlin has crafted a remarkable legacy, even without a Cup championship title in his trophy case. The Florida-born racer has amassed 59 career wins, including several of the sport’s most coveted races, and five of those victories have come during this current season alone. His continued success cements his future in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The 2025 season is rapidly becoming a standout for Hamlin, as he leads the field with five wins so far, making him the most victorious driver in this year’s competition. Had it not been for a series of misfortunes at Kansas, that count might have reached six.
Obstacles and Determination During the Kansas Race
Hamlin began the Kansas event in second position, taking charge by securing wins in both opening stages. However, turbulence struck in the race’s final stage: persistent throttle issues and a sudden loss of power steering disrupted his rhythm. With only a dozen laps to go, a sluggish pit stop forced him from the lead to sixth place.
Despite these setbacks, Hamlin reclaimed the top spot, only to collide with Bubba Wallace on the last lap, hampered by his power steering troubles. This misfortune allowed Chase Elliott to slip by and claim victory, with Hamlin coming in second after a commanding performance throughout much of the event.
Reaching a Rare Laps Led Achievement
Although he missed the win, Hamlin’s Kansas drive was still one of dominance, as he led 159 laps. This brought him past the 16,000 laps led mark, making him only the twelfth driver in NASCAR history to achieve this. After the Kansas race, his career total stands at 16,100 laps led—a remarkable feat shared by only a select group of drivers.
For context, Kevin Harvick was the most recent driver to cross the threshold, ending his career with 16,058 laps led. The next active benchmark for Hamlin is Jimmie Johnson’s 18,941 laps, a target that remains challenging but not insurmountable. All-time, Richard Petty stands alone, having led a staggering 51,514 laps—a record considered virtually untouchable in the sport’s annals.
The Top-10 Win Barrier Remains in Sight
While the laps led achievement etched his name deeper into NASCAR history, Hamlin’s disappointment was evident. Another win at Kansas would have made him just the tenth driver with 60 Cup victories, placing him amongst icons like Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, and David Pearson. With 59 career wins, Hamlin is on the cusp of breaking into the sport’s all-time elite.
“Just super disappointing. I wanted it bad. It would have been 60 (wins) for me…just disappointing because I don’t think I’ve ever had a car that good to the competition. Man, I wanted it for my dad. I wanted it for everybody. Just wanted it a little too hard.”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: Possibilities for the Season
The season is far from over, and Hamlin’s record-setting form suggests that reaching the 60-win mark and climbing higher on the laps-led leaderboard is within reach. His resilience and skill continue to drive both his individual ambitions and the standards in the NASCAR Cup Series, ensuring ongoing excitement for fans and competitors alike.
Denny Hamlin’s accomplishments at Kansas reaffirm his position among the sport’s all-time greats, and his ongoing quest for new milestones—one race at a time—sets the stage for more historic achievements as the season progresses.
With his 90+ laps led today so far, @dennyhamlin has now eclipsed 16,000 laps led in his NASCAR Cup Series career.
He is the 12th driver all-time to accomplish this feat. pic.twitter.com/qBrhsbdCF7
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
