Denny Hamlin has achieved a remarkable Denny Hamlin NASCAR career milestone after his recent performance, placing him among an elite group of NASCAR drivers. Following his win at Las Vegas, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver clinched a spot in the Championship 4 despite a challenging finish at Talladega.
Hamlin Secures Place Among NASCAR’s Most Notable Drivers
This season has featured some standout moments for Hamlin, highlighted by being the only competitor to win six Cup Series races in 2025. The 44-year-old has consistently ranked near the top in various statistics and has led a significant number of laps throughout the season — outpacing most drivers, with only Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson ahead of him in total laps led.
Talladega has often posed difficulties for Hamlin, and that trend continued, yet he still led three laps during the difficult race. These added to his tally, allowing him to join just seven drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history who have led laps in 400 different races.
Historical Context: Joining NASCAR’s Elite Lap Leaders
At the top of this exclusive list sits Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup Series champion, with the remarkable achievement of leading races on 592 occasions. He is the only person in NASCAR history to surpass 500 races with at least one lap led. Jeff Gordon follows with 487, while Bobby Allison, winner of the 1983 Winston Cup Series, holds 416 races led.
Active driver Kyle Busch, part of the Richard Childress Racing team, remains on the list with 406 races, despite experiencing a challenging period without wins. Legendary names like Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Darrell Waltrip also appear, having led in 405 and 403 races, respectively. After his Talladega performance, Hamlin’s total reached 400 races.
Championship Prospects and Unfinished Business
One unique factor sets Hamlin apart: he has achieved this milestone without securing a Cup Series championship, a rarity among his peers. However, with his current form and spot in the Championship 4, Hamlin’s title quest remains alive and well.
“I hope so. We’re going to have a great shot at it,”
Hamlin said about his title credentials on his Actions Detrimental podcast. — Denny Hamlin, Driver
Securing a victory in the first Round of 8 race has given Hamlin a strategic edge, as it provides much-needed additional track time ahead of the championship showdown. This advantage has proved beneficial in past seasons, as seen during Joey Logano’s own title-winning campaign.
As NASCAR draws closer to the championship finale, Denny Hamlin stands not only as a contender for the 2025 Cup but as a driver whose legacy continues to grow alongside legends such as Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt Sr., furthering his place in the upper echelons of the sport.
Denny Hamlin has just become the seventh driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to lead 400 races:
Richard Petty – 592 races
Jeff Gordon – 487
Bobby Allison – 416
Kyle Busch – 406
Dale Earnhardt – 405
Darrell Waltrip – 403
Denny Hamlin – 400— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) October 19, 2025
