Despite the common trend of New Hampshire Motor Speedway winners starting on the front row, Denny Hamlin defied expectations in 2007 by racing from ninth place to claim a thrilling victory. While history has shown that track position that near the front is crucial—with nine of the last ten winners leading the most laps—Hamlin’s determined drive secured a memorable win that season. This triumph holds a lasting place in NASCAR history, especially among fans of Hamlin’s career milestones.
Outlasting Jeff Gordon in a High-Stakes Duel
Hamlin’s 2007 victory at Loudon was marked by a standout battle against Jeff Gordon, then one of NASCAR’s most dominant figures. This race became a defining moment for Hamlin, as he captured his first Loudon win and the third overall in his Cup Series career. The intense competition saw Hamlin admit later that his nerves nearly overwhelmed him as Gordon closed in during the final laps, causing his foot to tremble on the accelerator as he fought to maintain the lead.
Strategic Pit Decisions Change the Race’s Outcome
The critical moment unfolded on lap 255 when a caution led the leaders to pit road. Hamlin took a calculated risk by opting for only two fresh tires, while his main rivals, including Gordon and Martin Truex Jr., chose four. This strategy allowed Hamlin to leap from fourth to the front of the pack, a position he never relinquished for the remainder of the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 race. This gamble highlighted Hamlin’s ability to make pressure-filled decisions that pay off.
Final Laps Feature a Fierce Battle for Victory
As the race entered its closing stages, Jeff Gordon fiercely battled Martin Truex Jr. for second place, with the two running door to door. Gordon finally gained clearance with seven laps remaining and then chased Hamlin relentlessly. In the last moments, Gordon was right on Hamlin’s tail through the final turn, but Hamlin managed to keep his No. 11 car steady and avoid contact with the wall. Hamlin crossed the finish line just 0.068 seconds ahead, a margin so slim it registered as one of the closest finishes at New Hampshire.
The closest margin of victory for a Cup race at New Hampshire was .068 seconds, when Denny Hamlin beat Jeff Gordon in July 2007. pic.twitter.com/UbLLqQQruU
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) September 19, 2025
Hamlin Reflects on the Pressure and Tactics Behind the Win
In his post-race comments, Hamlin spoke candidly about the mental challenge of holding onto the lead under intense pressure. He said,
You see Jeff coming and you’re trying your best to not be the guy who chokes at the end. I was all over the track those last two laps. I was basically just trying not to give up the bottom…
He also revealed how their pit strategy was designed to capitalize on track position.
We were back in sixth and seventh most of the day, and the only shot we had was to get track position. Two tires worked for us earlier (in the race), and we kind of made a note that anything inside of 120 laps to go, we were going to do two.
Legacy of Hamlin’s Closest NHMS Win and Its Continued Impact
Though his most recent Loudon triumph came in 2017, Hamlin’s remarkable 2007 win remains a vibrant part of his legacy. With Jeff Gordon now retired, Hamlin has cemented his reputation as a driver who can deliver under pressure, especially at New Hampshire. As Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing dominate the NASCAR playoffs—winning the opening three postseason races—the No. 11 team looks poised for continued success. Another win in the playoff hunt would strengthen JGR’s streak, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the postseason and reinforcing Hamlin’s status as a key figure in high-stakes racing.
The closest margin of victory for a Cup race at New Hampshire was .068 seconds, when Denny Hamlin beat Jeff Gordon in July 2007. pic.twitter.com/UbLLqQQruU
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) September 19, 2025
