DARLINGTON, S.C. — Reaching 60 NASCAR Cup Series victories was a milestone of utmost importance to Denny Hamlin.
The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota achieved that goal last October at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With the victory, he tied Kevin Harvick for 10th on the career win list.
Last Sunday, again at Las Vegas, Hamlin won for the 61st time and now trails Kyle Busch for ninth all-time by two victories. One spot ahead of Busch on the career list is seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt, who won 76 Cup races.
Hamlin, who is signed to drive for JGR through 2027, doesn’t think Earnhardt’s total is within reach.
“I think it’s pie in the sky, realistically,” said Hamlin, who has estimated he’ll win 67 races by the end of his career. “I think that, given the runway, Kyle’s career—he’s still got more years to go than I will. He’s capable of running and winning long after I’m gone. I think I’m kind of where I’m at, and where I think I will be, but you just never know.
“I mean, each win stacks up and, you know, 50 was a goal at one point. So, you just keep moving, keep moving the bar as far as you can. I think that I’ve certainly got more wins than what I would have imagined.”
Hamlin does have specific goals that don’t involve a certain number of victories. He is still seeking a series championship after narrowly missing out in 2025.
“It’s just now can we, can we get the big prize at the end of the year?” Hamlin said. “That’s the only goal left to have, other than the Brickyard (400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway) is certainly one that still is mindful (for) me personally.”
