Denny Hamlin’s win at Las Vegas wasn’t just another trip to Victory Lane; it was a deeply personal one. Pulling off a stunning charge from sixth to first in the final laps of the South Point 400, Hamlin sealed his 60th career Cup Series victory, matching Kevin Harvick for 10th all-time. But behind the celebration was something heavier. A mix of relief, reflection, and gratitude.

As the No. 11 team locked in its Championship 4 spot, Hamlin’s thoughts drifted from the neon lights of Vegas to the people who built his journey. The father who sacrificed everything, the mentor who shaped him, and the family who gave him more than just a career. What he shared after the race revealed just how much this win truly meant.

“I’ve got two dads,” says Hamlin

As Denny Hamlin pulled into victory lane at Las Vegas, the emotions overwhelmed him. Hamlin shed tears on the cooldown lap that spoke volumes about the personal significance of this win. During the post-race press conference, Hamlin reflected on the profound impact Joe Gibbs and his late son JD Gibbs have had on his life and career.

“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,” Hamlin shared emotionally in the post-race conference, referencing the heartbreaking loss of JD Gibbs in 2019 at 49 due to conditions related to a degenerative neurological disease. Back then, Hamlin had dedicated his Daytona 500 win to JD.

Hamlin described how the Gibbs family has been integral to not just his racing success but his life’s guidance: “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.” 

Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR career has been deeply intertwined with the Joe Gibbs family since he signed a driver development contract with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2004. In fact, Joe Gibbs himself credited his son JD Gibbs for Hamlin’s legacy, “JD gets a lot of the credit because he put Denny in a test. He put him in a truck. He put him in an Xfinity car. And finally, he said to me, ‘I think we need to sign this guy.’”

From those early days, Hamlin received unwavering support and mentorship, especially from JD Gibbs, who was like a second father to him. After JD’s passing, Joe Gibbs himself stepped in as a guiding paternal figure.

“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,” Hamlin said with gratitude. “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.”

This emotional win was not only a milestone in his racing record but also a powerful testament to enduring loyalty, family, and the profound bonds that fuel Hamlin’s drive both on and off the track.

Hamlin’s gratitude for his family’s sacrifices

Denny Hamlin’s rise to NASCAR stardom wasn’t paved with privilege or sponsorship deals. Rather, it was built on pure sacrifice, grit, and a family’s unwavering belief in a dream. He often speaks about those early years with deep emotion, crediting his parents for betting everything they had on his racing ambitions.

“My parents had no money. My parents had very normal jobs,” Hamlin once shared. His father, Dennis, worked at Great Dane Tractor Trailers before running a small trailer repair shop, while his mother, Mary Lou, spent over three decades at AAA Travel. Together, they lived modestly but refused to let financial limitations stop their son’s pursuit of racing glory.

Hamlin has vividly described just how tough those times were: “It’s every credit card that comes through the mail, okay, we’ll use it. Asking people to help. Second and third mortgage in the house and just all these things.” Their sacrifices were extreme and relentless.

They mortgaged their home multiple times, selling off valuable belongings, and taking on debts that no parent should ever have to face. But they believed in their son’s potential, even when success felt light-years away.

Looking back now, Hamlin carries immense gratitude for those struggles. “It’s great that it’s all paid off,” he said, reflecting on how those years of hardship shaped both his career and his character. Every race win, every playoff berth, and every milestone in his career stand as proof that his parents’ faith was never misplaced.

Denny Hamlin’s story isn’t just about chasing trophies. It’s about family, sacrifice, and the kind of unconditional support that turns impossible dreams into reality.