Amid a symphony of cheers and jeers, Denny Hamlin triumphantly stood atop his No. 11 Toyota, waving a blue flag that declared “11 Against The World.” Celebrating his 55th Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway, Hamlin didn’t just revel in victory but also seemed to mock those who doubted his prowess on NASCAR’s main stage.
Hamlin, who claims that trash talking is a source of strength, commented, “That’s me. If I can’t trash talk, it takes away my superpower. … I love when someone says I can’t do it, and then going out there and doing it.” This victory adds to his significant list of accomplishments, often made sweeter through adversity.
Currently, Hamlin faces challenges beyond the race track. Alongside co-owner Michael Jordan, he’s involved in a legal battle with NASCAR that has been ongoing for months with no end in sight. Furthermore, his team began this season seeking a new primary sponsor after the departure of FedEx, which backed Joe Gibbs Racing for two decades.
The win at Martinsville, located near his hometown of Chesterfield, Virginia, marked the end of a long dry spell for Hamlin—a 31-race stretch without a win and a decade without a victory at this particular track. This achievement ties him with Rusty Wallace on the all-time win list, though it doesn’t resolve his legal troubles. Nonetheless, Hamlin, the self-dubbed “King of Irrational Confidence,” relished proving his doubters wrong, showing championship-level speed.
“I know that when I have the car to do it, I can be the best,” Hamlin declared. He’s well aware of aging in a demanding sport, but believes his capabilities remain sharp. Crew chief Chris Gayle, impressed by Hamlin’s dedication, recounted how the driver was immersed in data analysis late into the night before the race, highlighting his commitment.
Joe Gibbs, Hamlin’s team owner, values his veteran driver’s commitment and sees no reason for Hamlin to retire anytime soon. “The one thing I’ve learned about athletes that are special is you have to let them go on their terms. So we’re going to ride Denny for as long as we can,” Gibbs remarked.
Interestingly, Hamlin noted he wouldn’t mind surpassing Rusty Wallace’s record; aware that Wallace never won again after the same accomplishment, Hamlin quipped about his own retirement being far from imminent.
In other NASCAR news, officials are reviewing an incident from the Xfinity race at Martinsville where Sammy Smith intentionally wrecked Taylor Gray, sparking a multi-car pileup. Both Hamlin and others have criticized the poor sportsmanship, and Hamlin intends to discuss the matter further on his podcast.
Additionally, Steve Phelps has been appointed as NASCAR’s first commissioner, tasked with overseeing all aspects of NASCAR, IMSA sports car series, and its tracks. This role consolidates responsibilities under Phelps, recognized for his leadership within the sport.
Steve O’Donnell will succeed Phelps as NASCAR president, handling daily operations across its series, commercial, media, and track functions, marking another executive shake-up in the organization.