Denny Hamlin secured his career’s 56th victory at the Darlington Raceway this month. Over the years, the 44-year-old driver’s victory celebrations have evolved significantly. From his early days as a young rookie celebrating wildly at Pocono Raceway in 2006 to his current approach, Hamlin’s personal life has greatly influenced this transformation.
His fiancée, Jordan Fish, reminisces about the past when race victories meant extravagant celebrations filled with loud music and champagne. However, now Hamlin opts for a quieter post-race tradition. After winning, you’ll find him at home with Fish and their two young daughters. Fish remarked, “We used to celebrate and party and do all the things, but when you have kids, it’s kind of like, ‘Oh yeah. Let’s go to bed.’”
The Darlington win marked Hamlin’s second triumph of the season, following his victory at Martinsville Speedway. Discussing their recent celebrations, Fish expressed her surprise and delight at the fan turnout after the race. Despite Hamlin often being met with boos at tracks like these, this time fans waited eagerly to meet him. They stayed with fans for two hours before embarking on a two-hour drive home, with Hamlin busy replying to congratulatory messages on his phone while Fish drove. A quick stop for drive-thru food completed the low-key celebration.
The change from raucous parties to peaceful family nights marks a significant shift for Hamlin. This evolution in celebrations reflects not just his maturity as a driver but also as a family man. With the next Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway fast approaching, Hamlin, currently sitting second in the points standings, is ready to give it his all. At drafting-style tracks known for their unpredictability, Hamlin’s focus remains unwavering as he aims for his third win of the season. This more measured approach, both on and off the track, showcases a driver who has grown with his experiences.
