Denny Hamlin skips practice ahead of the Daytona 500, spending his Saturday fishing on Lake Lloyd instead of preparing for the prestigious NASCAR event. The seasoned NASCAR driver made this unexpected choice as other competitors debated whether to risk their cars the day before the race, which was advanced due to weather concerns.
Hamlin Chooses the Lake Over the Track
Ahead of Sunday’s Daytona 500—an event Hamlin has previously won three times—the veteran racer decided not to participate in Saturday’s final practice. This move came after Hamlin’s narrow miss at a championship victory the previous year, where he finished as runner-up in a dramatic conclusion to the season.
While Hamlin was not alone in skipping the session—only 19 out of 37 drivers took to the track—he was among the few who appeared completely disengaged from any on-track activity. Instead of monitoring practice, Hamlin spent time fishing on Lake Lloyd, situated in the infield of Daytona International Speedway.
A Stressful Offseason Ends on the Water
At 45, Hamlin has navigated an emotionally intense few months. His season ended with a crushing loss of his first career championship after a late caution in Phoenix upended his campaign. December brought a courtroom victory—a significant antitrust lawsuit win against NASCAR, which settled the dispute.
Hamlin’s personal life turned tragic when his father, Dennis, died following a house fire that also threatened his mother. In the midst of these turbulent events, Hamlin found solace in a new passion—fishing. He recently became the owner of a high-end $68,000 Bass Pro Shop fishing boat, marking a lighter note after months of stress.
“As you guys have seen over the last few months, I’ve gotten into fishing quite a bit. Of course, I had to go to Bass Pro for my brand new fishing boat. Ended up getting a Nitro Z20 XL here. It’s got pretty much everything on it that you could want,”
Hamlin said in an Instagram video—eager to show off his new investment.
“…It’s got the factory 12-inch Garmin screen here. Runs everything from side view, live scope. I’m a race car driver, of course. I’ve got to have a gas pedal,”
Hamlin continued.
“You see, down there, got the hot foot gas pedal, which is amazing. Can’t be running the throttle up here. You got to use your feet.”
Hamlin’s Daring Break From Racing Tradition
Hamlin’s fishing trip stands out among NASCAR’s usual pre-race rituals. While several teams avoided the track to safeguard their cars, few drivers could be seen so publicly disconnecting from race preparations the day before one of motorsport’s biggest events. Some speculate that Hamlin was eager to take his new boat for a spin, while others chalk up the move to strong confidence in his and his team’s readiness.
As the Daytona 500 looms, Hamlin’s nontraditional pre-race activities have caught the attention of fans and fellow drivers alike. The spotlight now falls on whether this calm interlude will help him add another win to his Daytona 500 resume. With both personal triumphs and losses shaping his outlook, how Hamlin performs in Sunday’s race may become another memorable chapter in an already eventful career.
