How Denny Hamlin balances racing, life, role of villain

BROOKLYN, Mich. — In the backend of his NASCAR Cup Series career, Denny Hamlin is racing as good as ever.

Hamlin picked up his third win of 2025 and the 57th of his NASCAR Cup Series Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

Off the racetrack, Hamlin would seem to have so many things that require his attention.

That list includes baby watch with fiancée Jordan Fish and his Cup Series team 23XI Racing’s lawsuit against NASCAR.

How is Hamlin, 44, able to compartmentalize all that is going on for him on and off the racetrack and continue to race as good as the drivers half his age?

“The tackle box is full,” Hamlin said about his mind. “There’s all kinds of stuff going on. It’s just the way I’m wired. It’s the way I’ve always been.

“I don’t know if it’s always been this way, but certainly over the last 10, 15 years, I’ve been this way where I’m just really addicted to the process — the process of being good, and it’s becoming harder and harder every single year.”

On the track, Hamlin said he enjoys the role of villain.

“It’s a lot of fun for me,” Hamlin said. “I love making people feel a certain way, positive or negative, I do not care. What they say on the other side of the fence, say what you got to say. I do have a lot of fun with it, I do thrive on it.”

Hamlin has crossed into rare air with his victory.

Hamlin became the 22nd driver in Cup Series history last week to hit the seven-century start in NASCAR’s top series. The win makes Hamlin the 10th NASCAR driver in Cup Series history to win after their 700th start.

Including Hamlin, the complete list of drivers winning after 700 premier series races are Bobby Allison, Kurt Busch, Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd.

Seven of the nine drivers are past champions of the sport, and all nine drivers are a part of or will be a part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, with Kurt Busch being nominated for the 2026 class.

Kyle Busch is the only full-time driver with more than 700 starts who could add their name to the list.

Overall, Hamlin is 11th on the series’ all-time wins list with 57 victories. Next up on the list is Kevin Harvick in 10th at 60 wins — a mark Hamlin has expressed is a goal to eclipse before he hangs up the racing helmet.

“I’m so hung up on getting to a win total,” Hamlin said. “At least while I’m alive, I want to be in the Top-10 for most wins.”

NO. OF WINS AFTER 700 STARTS
Richard Petty 22
Kevin Harvick 7
Jeff Gordon 6
Mark Martin 5
Kurt Busch 3
Ricky Rudd 3
Bobby Allison 1
Bill Elliott 1
Denny Hamlin 1
Terry Labonte 1