In NASCAR, drivers often face retirement expectations as they age or accumulate milestones such as 600 Cup Series starts. Still, a number of competitors continue to secure victories despite crossing these traditional thresholds. Denny Hamlin, a 44-year-old from Virginia, is a prime example, displaying a remarkable NASCAR winning streak with 13 victories after turning 40 and surpassing 600 starts. His strong performance so far in 2025 places him fifth in the Cup standings, just 62 points behind the leader, William Byron.
Hamlin’s season could have been even more successful if he had not missed the race in Mexico City due to the birth of his third child, his first son. Despite this absence, Hamlin’s consistency at the front of the pack has emphasized his continued relevance in the highly competitive Cup Series.
Joey Logano Approaches a Rare Milestone Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway
This weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, Joey Logano is poised to become the 34th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to reach 600 career starts. This milestone is significant because only 15 drivers in Cup history have managed to win races after reaching 600 starts. Logano’s achievement could place him on this exclusive list if he wins Sunday’s event.
This Sunday, Joey Logano is set to become just the 34th driver in Cup Series history to start 600 races. Only 15 drivers have earned a win on or after their 600th start.
How many more wins do you think the 3x champion gets? pic.twitter.com/v7LpbupIXW
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) July 18, 2025
Hamlin himself has not only entered this category but has excelled in it, gathering 13 wins after turning 40 and nine victories following his 600th career start, out of his total of 57 Cup wins.
Top Drivers Who Excelled After Crossing 40 and 600 Starts
A surprising name leads the list of drivers with the highest win records after 600 starts: Kevin Harvick. Over 826 career Cup starts, nearly half of Harvick’s 60 victories (29) came after his 40th birthday, with 24 wins recorded after surpassing 600 starts. Harvick’s ability to maintain such performance late in his career is unmatched.
Following him, NASCAR legend Richard Petty ranks second. Petty’s 1,184 career starts include 200 total wins; 15 of those wins occurred after he turned 40, and 51 came after passing the 600-start milestone. His longevity and success set a historic benchmark in the sport.
Close behind is the late Dale Earnhardt, who achieved 26 wins after turning 40. However, only five of those came after his 600th start, as his career was tragically cut short during his 676th race. Jeff Gordon also makes the list, with five wins past age 40 and an impressive 11 victories after his 600th start during his 805 Cup starts, including a successful comeback to support Hendrick Motorsports after Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s injury.
Other notable drivers in this group include Bobby Allison, Martin Truex Jr., brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Matt Kenseth, Rusty Wallace, and Terry Labonte, all of whom have demonstrated sustained competitiveness well into the latter stages of their careers.
Implications of Longevity for NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
Denny Hamlin’s continued success serves as an example that age and experience don’t necessarily limit a driver’s ability to contend for victories. With his current NASCAR winning streak, Hamlin illustrates how seasoned racers can remain vital in a sport often thought to favor younger competitors. As Joey Logano approaches the 600-start milestone, fans will be watching closely to see if he can maintain this trend and join the distinguished club of drivers who have triumphed beyond that mark.
The achievements of Hamlin and others also reflect the evolving nature of NASCAR, where fitness, technology, and team strategy help prolong competitive careers. As these drivers remain active and successful, the threshold of retirement becomes less rigid, potentially reshaping expectations for veteran racers moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. Since then, he has achieved an amazing career. He has won 51 times in the Cup Series and claimed victory in the Daytona 500 three times (2016, 2019, and 2020). Along with these achievements, he has earned millions throughout his career.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. As a child, Jordan loved dancing, which helped her become a performer for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now called the Charlotte Hornets. She and Hamlin crossed paths during one of her performances at a Bobcats game.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has built an estimated net worth of about $65 million. This stems from his racing career, sponsorship deals, team ownership, and real estate investments. Whether racing or managing his team, Hamlin consistently makes smart decisions in his field.
