Demonstrating Joe Gibbs Racing dominance, Denny Hamlin has stood out for his impressive performance metrics during the first 33 NASCAR races this season. Statistical data compiled by Daniel Cespedes highlights how Hamlin has consistently ranked at the top in several key areas, underscoring both his individual skill and the team’s continued success.
Statistical Overview of Leading Driver Pairings
Among driver pairings in which two competitors have logged the most laps running first and second together, Hamlin has consistently appeared in these elite combinations. When paired with Kyle Larson, Hamlin has led 61 laps—Larson has claimed the lead in 299 laps—with a combined total of 360 laps for both drivers at the front of the pack. This demonstrates the fierce competition between these two standout performers.
By comparison, when Hamlin is teamed with fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell, the gap is more pronounced in Hamlin’s favor. Hamlin has led 237 laps to Bell’s 98, amounting to 335 laps where the duo ran first and second. These statistics highlight Hamlin’s significant role at the front for Joe Gibbs Racing in dual-lead scenarios.
Hamlin’s Performances with Key Competitors
Further analysis reveals similar patterns in other top pairings. When running with teammate Chase Briscoe, Briscoe has spent 214 laps in the lead, while Hamlin trailed during 67 laps, totaling 281 laps together at the front. Against Hendrick Motorsports rival Chase Elliott, Hamlin returned to the top position with 131 laps as the leader—Elliott ran second for 104 laps, resulting in a 235-lap total pairing.
Another notable statistic involves William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports, where Hamlin led 57 laps in first place, with Byron running in second, leading to a combined leadership for 206 laps.
Dominance Across Track Lengths and Race Positions
The data becomes even more compelling in the category of intermediate tracks ranging from one to two miles. In this setting, Hamlin stands alone as the only driver to have led more than 40 percent of total laps while operating within the top three positions. This mark places him at the forefront for success on these mid-length tracks.
For laps run in the Top 5, Hamlin and William Byron each exceed the 50-percent mark, distinguishing themselves from all other drivers this season. Within the Top 10, both Hamlin and Byron have led over 70 percent of their laps, reinforcing their steady presence near the front. Moreover, Hamlin remains singular in the Top 20 category, as he is the only driver to have run over 90 percent of his laps within these leading positions.
Laps Led Across Leading Race Positions
When focusing on the specific race positions of second and third place, Hamlin’s dominance is clear. He has run the most laps in second with 1,009, and also leads all drivers in third place laps at 811. Kyle Larson, however, edges out all others for the highest number of laps completed in first, logging 1,100 laps as the front-runner.
Implications and What Lies Ahead
The detailed statistical breakdown provided by Daniel Cespedes sheds light on the exceptional consistency and leadership of Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing so far this NASCAR season. While rival teams and drivers like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and William Byron continue to contend at the front, it is the sustained Joe Gibbs Racing dominance, driven by Hamlin’s metrics, that is drawing attention across the sport. As the season progresses, these trends may influence race strategies, rivalries, and ultimately, the championship outlook for NASCAR’s top teams and drivers.
Driver pairings with the most laps running 1-2 this season: pic.twitter.com/FcmBgiWBMc
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) October 15, 2025
With all the intermediate races for the 2025 season being complete, here are the drivers with the highest % of laps run the Top 3/5/10/20 at intermediates this year: pic.twitter.com/POzBg0BIz5
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) October 14, 2025
Most laps run in each position this season (33 races): pic.twitter.com/CO1IBrGMdq
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) October 15, 2025
