Denny Hamlin’s 60th career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Las Vegas, tying 10th on NASCAR’s career victories list with veteran Kevin Harvick, was a testament to resilience and deep-rooted royalty. Overcome with emotion, Hamlin said the win was for his 75-year-old father, who was rooting for his son all alone. “He’s just not doing well. He’s the one that got me into racing and took me to a racetrack when I was 5… I’m glad he was able to see 60. That was so important to me.” However, the path to this victory was fraught with challenges.

At the close of the previous season, the Joe Gibbs Racing star faced uncertainty. A disappointing end to his championship run, the loss of FedEx as a sponsor, and the unexpected departure of crew chief Chris Gabehart. Initially apprehensive about new partnerships, Hamlin’s concerns were alleviated after several strong performances in the 2025 season, with 6 Cup wins as of now. This resurgence marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround that Hamlin will forever with grateful for.

Behind the scenes of Denny Hamlin’s milestone victory

In the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin was asked by co-host Jared Allen about the emotional moment of winning at Las Vegas. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver immediately validated the sentiment, noting that former crew chiefs were there to share his off-track success. “Yeah, and I owe so much to those crew chiefs. All of them played a vital role. And if they weren’t in Victory Lane because they weren’t there in person, I got a text from them and I’m so grateful for each one of them’s character and ability to challenge me to get better,” he said, expressing gratitude and respect for those who had led his No. 11 team throughout his career.

This speaks to the long lineage of expertise Hamlin has collaborated with. Starting with his initial crew chief, Mike Ford, who was on the box for his rookie season in 2006 and his dominant win season in 2010. Other figures like Darian Grubb, who engineered the 2012 season, and most recently, Chris Gabehart, with whom Hamlin achieved 22 victories and 3 Daytona 500 wins before the former’s move to JGR Competition Director in the offseason before the 2025 season.

Hamlin continued to reflect on the cumulative effect of these partnerships on his evolution as a driver. “Every single one of them made me better in a certain different type of way. And so, I grew with my relationship with all of them. So it certainly teaches you a lot of things.” For instance, Ford was known for his analytical and demanding style, while Grubb was often praised for his strategy in high-pressure situations, as seen in his guidance of Tony Stewart to the 2011 Cup title. Gabehart brought a blend of engineering focus and mental coaching, which, altogether, reignited Hamlin’s career.

The driver then moved the discussion to the daunting unknowns that faced the team at the start of the current season, particularly the unexpected change in personnel and the significant challenge of finding a sponsorship for his No. 11 car after FedEx’s departure. “We said before this year started, right, there’s so many unknowns where we’re going to Bowman Gray with no sponsor on the car for most of the season, got nothing. I got a new crew chief that, I know nothing about and they’re like, ‘here’s your guy.’ And I’m like, ‘OK, well, what happened? How’d this happen?’ We got no sponsor. And it’s like, ‘oh, my gosh, what is this year going to be like?'” he said.

Despite his initial apprehension, Hamlin highlighted how quickly the new pairing with Chris Gayle, after the departure of Gabehart, found success. This early speed with the Next Gen cars was critical, allowing the new driver-crew chief combination to build confidence and chemistry without having to climb out of a deep hole. “I felt like Bowman Gray was a great. I think that was key for us this year, starting off being good, being fast. Like we never struggled this year. It just it started fast right from the get go,” he reminisced. Hamlin finished 3rd at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, further strengthening the duo’s expectations for the 2025 season.

Finally, Hamlin outlines his philosophy of empowering his crew chief. The most significant instance that shaped this belief was his 2013 injury, when a fractured L1 vertebra after a late-race crash at Auto Club Speedway sidelined him for 4 races. “He’s the leader. I’ll do whatever you tell me, regardless of your resume versus mine…. The team knows way more than the driver that’s in that driver’s seat. Trust them. And I just kind of hand over the keys to whoever my leader is. And I’ve got a new leader here and I’ve got to do the same thing and give him the keys. And he’s taken them and certainly put his touches on this race team. And we’ve had more success tonight than I thought we were going to have,” he said.

This unreserved commitment to his crew chief’s authority allowed Gayle to make the critical late-race call at Las Vegas to take 4 fresh tires on the final pit stop, ultimately enabling Hamlin to charge past the competition and punch his way through to the Championship 4. But Gayle is not the only one Hamlin is thankful to.

Denny Hamlin reflects on loyalty and family bonds after 60th win

Denny Hamlin‘s 60th career Cup Series win at Las Vegas wasn’t just another trophy; it carried deep personal meaning. Reflecting on the race, he said, “I mean everything I got I owe to the Gibbs family and you know I’ve got two dads. One’s at home and one’s here. Not a lot of drivers have that kind of relationship with their team owner. The Gibbs family found me, took a chance, and my loyalty to them runs very, very deep.”

For Hamlin, the win also highlighted the enduring influence of the late JD Gibbs and Joe Gibbs himself, saying, “JD was my road dad, my track dad. When JD passed, it’s more of Joe now. Father figures are really, really important to make sure you do the right things. They’re the ones that kind of keep you in the lane of life.” The driver’s connection with the Gibbs family has been a cornerstone of his journey since joining JGR in 2004, with JD helping pave the way for his earliest opportunities in Trucks and Xfinity cars.

Looking back on the milestone, Hamlin couldn’t hide his gratitude for the unwavering support that has carried him through both triumphs and personal challenges. “I never could imagine going through what Joe has gone through. Fathers are not supposed to bury sons, you know. That’s kind of the wrong way,” he said emotionally. The 60th win was more than a number; it was a reflection of loyalty, family sacrifices, and the powerful bonds that continue to drive Hamlin both on and off the track.