Denny Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 champion, faces one of the most critical moments in his racing career as he sets his sights on the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2025. Despite an impressive record of 57 NASCAR Cup Series wins, including multiple victories at other crown jewel events, the elusive Brickyard 400 win remains out of reach and highly significant for Hamlin’s legacy.
Hamlin has expressed that the lack of a victory in Indianapolis is the one major achievement missing from his extensive list of accomplishments. With his career spanning numerous tracks and top events, Indianapolis represents both a personal challenge and a historical battleground.
“The last, you know, big major win that I don’t have on my resume,”
Hamlin said, emphasizing the unique importance of this race in his career.
Challenges and Close Calls at Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds a special place in NASCAR history, and Hamlin acknowledges the weight it carries. Over 16 career starts at the 2.5-mile oval, Hamlin has demonstrated speed and consistency with five top-five and eight top-10 finishes. He has led 106 laps and secured one pole position in 2012, yet victory at the Brickyard remains elusive. His earnings from the venue exceed $2.18 million, reflecting strong performances, but the ultimate win has continued to slip away.
Hamlin spoke about the prestige and difficulty of winning at Indianapolis:
“Yeah, just so much history at that track. Um, just the close calls I’ve had at that one. That’s, you know, kind of the last, you know, big major win that I don’t have on my resume.”
He added,
“Nothing takes away from the prestige of the actual of of winning at that track.”
This highlights both the pressure and deep respect the driver holds for the race.
The 2020 Brickyard 400: A Heartbreaking Setback
One of the most painful episodes in Hamlin’s Indianapolis journey occurred during the 2020 Brickyard 400. Leading comfortably by 10 car lengths with only seven laps remaining, his hopes for victory were crushed when his right front tire failed entering Turn 1. The resultant crash into the SAFER barrier ended his race abruptly, extinguishing what seemed a near-certain win and triggering the race’s ninth caution.
Reflecting on the mishap, Hamlin conveyed the frustration and disappointment shared by his team:
I hate it for the FedEx team. We did what we needed to do, it just didn’t work out for us today. I had a fast car, obviously. We were stretching (the lead), but I wasn’t pushing the right front (tire) at all. It’s kind of roulette (with the tires) if you’re going to get one that’s going to stay together or not, and mine didn’t.
This incident embodied the unpredictability and heartbreak that have overshadowed Hamlin’s attempts at Indy.
Renewed Hope as Hamlin Pursues Victory in 2025
At 44 years old, Hamlin recognizes that opportunities to claim the Brickyard 400 victory—and thus complete his crown jewel collection—are becoming limited. He summed up this reality before the 2024 race, stating,
I don’t have that many chances left. It’s less than what’s on my hand, I would think.
Entering the 2025 season, Hamlin maintains strong momentum with three wins over 19 races, securing second place in the playoff standings. The upcoming Brickyard 400 on July 27 presents more than just a race; it is arguably his final realistic chance to conquer the historic Indianapolis track and fulfill a key goal that has long eluded him. Success there would not only solidify his stature across NASCAR’s biggest events but also silence the one critic that matters most: himself.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin began his full-time Cup Series career in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he has achieved an impressive 51 Cup Series wins. Among his victories are three Daytona 500 wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Throughout his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is engaged to Jordan Fish. She loved dancing since she was young, which eventually led her to perform for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team’s name is now the Charlotte Hornets. She first met Hamlin while dancing at one of the Bobcats’ games.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has built a net worth of about $65 million thanks to his successful racing career and profitable endorsement deals. His ventures in team ownership and smart real estate investments also contribute to his wealth. Whether he is driving a car or managing a racing team, Hamlin makes wise choices both on and off the track.
Q. Why was Denny Hamlin dq?
A. Reason for Hamlin and Busch’s Disqualification at Pocono: They had an extra, unauthorized strip of tape on the car’s nose near the wheel wells.
