Denny Hamlin, the experienced driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, claimed his fourth victory of the 2025 season at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, further establishing himself as the season’s top winner. This triumph not only marked his second consecutive win at Dover but also elevated his career total to 58 victories, the most ever for a Toyota team driver.
Despite encountering early challenges due to an incident involving Ty Dillon, Hamlin managed to regain momentum and keep pace with teammate Christopher Bell. After a rain delay lasting an hour, Hamlin overcame pressure from both Bell and fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe during the final laps to secure the win.
How Studying Legends Helped Hamlin Conquer Dover
The victory at Dover held special meaning for Hamlin, as he reflected on his earlier struggles at the track during the first half of his career. He credits his improvement to closely analyzing the tactics of some of the sport’s greatest drivers to adapt his own racing style at this venue.
Winning here in Dover is super special to me. This is a place I’ve not been very good at the first half of my career. Having a back-to-back here over the last few years is amazing. (On how he improved at Dover) I just studied some of the greats here.
—Denny Hamlin via NBC Sports
Hamlin acknowledges that learning from key figures such as his former teammate Martin Truex Jr., who retired at the end of last season, and fellow Toyota team owner and racer Jimmie Johnson was instrumental in his progress. Watching Johnson’s ten wins at Dover inspired Hamlin to refine his skills and extract more performance from his car.
I was very fortunate to have Martin Truex as a teammate. Jimmie Johnson, watching him win 10 times here. You learn from the greats and you change your game to match it, you have success like this.
—Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Praises Hamlin’s Leadership and Dedication
Joe Gibbs, the three-time Super Bowl-winning owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, expressed immense pride in Hamlin’s achievements this season. With Hamlin leading the charge, the team secured eight victories in 2025, solidifying their dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series. Gibbs highlighted Hamlin’s relentless work ethic, especially in simulation training, as a major factor behind this success.
I’ve got to tell you, he’s after it right now, I think that’s 58 for Denny. That’s great. At this point in his career, he is after it in the sim, working extremely hard. I just really appreciate him and his leadership with all of our other drivers, everybody in our competition meetings, really a big deal.
—Joe Gibbs to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
The team owner also emphasized the strength and unity of the entire Joe Gibbs Racing group, praising their ability to perform under pressure and overcome difficult circumstances. He looks forward to celebrating this milestone by hanging the race-winning banner in the team shop, continuing a proud tradition.
Just proud of everybody back home. God’s blessed us with a great group of teammates. I appreciate all of them so much. Going to hand a banner again tomorrow, and that’s a big deal for us.
—Joe Gibbs
Overcoming Early Race Challenges and Weather Delays
Hamlin’s win was not without hurdles. An early collision involving Ty Dillon disrupted his initial race pace, threatening his chances. Nevertheless, his experience and composure allowed him to navigate through the ensuing chaos, maintaining a competitive edge. Following the disruption caused by a lengthy rain delay, Hamlin showcased remarkable resilience by outpacing challengers during the closing laps.
Setting the Stage for a Championship Run
This latest Dover triumph boosts Hamlin’s momentum as he pursues his first NASCAR Cup Series championship and the prestigious Bill France Cup. His consistent performance throughout 2025, combined with Joe Gibbs Racing’s strong team support, positions him as a leading contender to break his championship drought. Gibbs’ faith in Hamlin’s leadership and maturity suggests that this season could be the one where his veteran driver finally claims the title he has long sought.
As Hamlin continues to build on his record-breaking legacy and sharpen his competitive edge at key tracks like Dover, fans and analysts alike expect him to remain a dominant force through the remainder of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin began racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006.
Over the years, he achieved 51 wins in the Cup Series.
He also claimed victory three times in the Daytona 500, specifically in 2016, 2019, and 2020, and earned millions during his career.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. Since childhood, she loved dancing, which led her to perform for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now called the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan met Hamlin while performing at a Bobcats game.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin’s net worth is around $65 million. This wealth comes from his achievements in racing, endorsement deals, team ownership, and real estate investments. Whether driving a race car or managing his team, Hamlin consistently makes successful decisions.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has a net worth of $65 million, largely from over $100 million earned in NASCAR through contracts and winnings. He also secures multi-million dollar endorsements with big brands like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. Additionally, he’s a co-owner of 23XI Racing, a franchise worth more than $100 million.
