Denny Hamlin made headlines by clinching his 60th NASCAR Cup Series victory this season, intensifying speculation over which current driver might next achieve such a milestone as part of the exclusive Denny Hamlin 60-win club. The conversation has zeroed in on William Byron, a young driver whose career trajectory and attitude stand out in the field, especially as Hamlin continues to set records at age 44.
Hamlin’s 60 Wins Raise the Bar for Today’s Drivers
This year, Hamlin has demonstrated remarkable endurance and performance by securing six wins, leading the Cup Series for the 2025 season. His standout moment came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where his 60th career win was met with enthusiastic cheers, a notable shift from the more mixed reactions he sometimes receives. As the oldest active driver, Hamlin’s persistence and recent string of victories have reignited talk in the NASCAR paddock about whether any member of this generation can reach similar heights.
Within NASCAR’s history, which stretches back to 1949, very few drivers have approached these numbers. Richard Petty remains the all-time leader with a staggering 200 Cup victories. Among drivers still racing, Kyle Busch boasts 63 wins, followed by Hamlin, who now matches Kevin Harvick’s 60-win count. These achievements emphasize just how rare sustained success is in modern racing, especially as some younger competitors are choosing earlier retirements for a more balanced lifestyle.
A Young Challenger: William Byron’s Credentials
Despite the trend of shorter careers, William Byron stands out as a notable exception. NASCAR analysts pointed out on The Teardown podcast that Byron, the youngest in Hendrick Motorsports’ lineup, has the right qualities to be the next member of this elite club. Jeff Gluck commented,
I thought it was fascinating recently when this whole conversation Denny (Hamlin) won (his) 60th and people were like, ‘I don’t know if anybody can get to 60 again.’ I really think (William Byron) is being overlooked. I mean, how old is Byron? He’s still so young, he has this mentality – the killer mentality.
— Jeff Gluck, NASCAR journalist.
Byron, just 27, has already earned 16 victories, including capturing the Daytona 500, often called the “crown jewel” of the Cup Series. As his career progresses, fellow commentator Jordan Bianchi added to the praise, saying,
Smooth, doesn’t make mistakes, very rarely overdrives, very smart, mature too,
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic. Bianchi further described Byron’s approach and influence within the NASCAR community, noting,
He is not afraid to talk about topics, big picture topics, and have a voice in this sport and that’s something that a lot of people aren’t comfortable with,
—Jordan Bianchi, The Athletic.
The Performances That Mark Byron as a Future Great
Byron’s consistent performances, like his standout drive at Martinsville, have drawn praise from established legends. Four-time champion Jeff Gordon highlighted the discipline and strategic prowess Byron demonstrated, particularly during his third win of the season, which cemented Byron’s reputation for reliability and composure under pressure. Each of these milestones brings Byron closer to joining an elite group of winners and reinforces his potential to mimic or even surpass Hamlin’s career achievements.
Looking Ahead: Can Byron Join Denny Hamlin’s Ranks?
The championship finale at Phoenix Raceway approaches, and Byron’s current momentum suggests he could soon be counted among NASCAR’s all-time greats. While Hamlin’s record-breaking season has set a new gold standard, William Byron’s youth, strategic mindset, and already impressive win tally make it reasonable to wonder if he could one day enter the Denny Hamlin 60-win club. If Byron maintains this pace and focus, he looks poised to challenge the sport’s most prestigious milestones, adding a compelling chapter to NASCAR’s evolving story.
People said no one would reach 60 again… maybe they’re wrong. 👀@jeff_gluck | @Jordan_Bianchi pic.twitter.com/AZsK6v9IeI
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) October 27, 2025
