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A Legacy Without a Crown: Can Hamlin Rewrite His NASCAR Fate? – Speedway Digest

Denny Hamlin has built a NASCAR career defined by excellence, longevity, and perseverance. A product of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin’s rise from local short tracks to the national spotlight has cemented his place among the sport’s elite. With 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, and numerous playoff runs, Hamlin is already a Hall of […]

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Denny Hamlin has built a NASCAR career defined by excellence, longevity, and perseverance. A product of Chesterfield, Virginia, Hamlin’s rise from local short tracks to the national spotlight has cemented his place among the sport’s elite.

With 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, and numerous playoff runs, Hamlin is already a Hall of Fame lock. Yet, one missing piece continues to haunt his legacy — a Cup Series championship. As he pushes into his mid-40s, time becomes both his fiercest rival and his most urgent motivator.

Chesterfield Roots and Early Ascent

Hamlin’s journey began far from the glitz of Daytona or Charlotte. Born on November 18, 1980, in Tampa, Florida, but raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, his racing story started at just 7 years old in go-karts. The young Hamlin quickly developed a natural feel for speed and competition.

By his teenage years, he was a dominant presence in late model stock car events throughout Virginia, earning a name on the Old Dominion’s racing scene and catching the attention of major teams.

Joe Gibbs Racing and Day-One Loyalty

Denny Hamlin’s connection to Joe Gibbs Racing is among the most enduring partnerships in NASCAR. Since going full-time in the Cup Series in 2006, Hamlin has driven exclusively for JGR, a rarity in a sport often defined by team changes. His debut season shocked the NASCAR world — winning Rookie of the Year honors and grabbing two wins, including a sweep at Pocono.

That trust was solidified by FedEx, his longtime sponsor, which has remained his primary backer since his very first Cup Series race. Few other drivers in history can claim such unbroken loyalty from both team and sponsor.

The 2010 Heartbreak

Hamlin’s 2010 campaign remains the most agonizing “what if” of his career. After winning eight races that season and entering the final event at Homestead with the points lead, Hamlin was poised to dethrone the dominant Jimmie Johnson.

However, early contact with Greg Biffle’s car sent him spinning and ultimately doomed his title hopes. Johnson surged ahead to win his fifth consecutive championship, while Hamlin was left devastated. It was the closest he’s ever come to the mountaintop — and it still stings.

Daytona Dominance

Though the Cup Series title has evaded him, Hamlin’s resume features one of NASCAR’s most prestigious accomplishments — three Daytona 500 wins. He first conquered the Great American Race in 2016 with a photo-finish victory over Martin Truex Jr.

He returned to win again in 2019 and successfully defended his crown in 2020. These victories placed him in elite company and solidified his reputation as a clutch superspeedway racer, especially on the sport’s grandest stage.

Remarkable Consistency Since 2006

Since becoming a full-time Cup Series driver in 2006, Hamlin has won at least one race in every season except 2018. His longevity is almost unmatched in the modern era. With 56 career Cup Series wins as of June 2, he has surpassed legends like Mark Martin — a fact that cements his statistical legacy.

Notably, no other driver with that many wins has failed to win a championship, making his career both historic and uniquely bittersweet.

Championship-Caliber Playoff Runs

Hamlin has made the Championship 4 — NASCAR’s version of the Final Four — on multiple occasions. In 2014, he fought through to Phoenix but fell short. In 2019 and 2020, he returned to the final round, only to watch other drivers seize the crown.

Despite these near-misses, his repeated presence in the playoff climax proves his elite status year after year. Yet, each trip to the finale without a win deepens the ache of incompletion.

The Weight of Time

Now 44 years old, Hamlin is fully aware of the ticking clock. He has publicly acknowledged that only a few years remain in his competitive driving career. While still physically capable and mentally sharp, the emergence of younger stars and changing team dynamics add urgency to every race.

The “championship or bust” narrative becomes louder with every passing season. Each opportunity now carries the weight of finality — the sense that the next misstep could be the last shot lost.

Co-Owner Ambitions With 23XI Racing

While chasing his own title, Hamlin has also embraced a leadership role in shaping the future of NASCAR. As co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, Hamlin has taken a major step into team ownership.

The team, which fields cars for drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, represents a significant commitment to growing the sport’s diversity and competitiveness. Hamlin’s dual roles as driver and owner highlight his ambition to leave a broader legacy in NASCAR beyond personal accolades.

Among the Greats Without a Title

Despite all his accomplishments, Hamlin joins a list of elite talents who never reached the championship summit. Mark Martin won 40 races and was a five-time runner-up in points but never sealed the deal. Carl Edwards came within a tiebreaker of winning in 2011. Junior Johnson, a legendary figure and Hall of Famer, captured 50 wins without ever securing a title.

Ricky Rudd, another Virginia native, won 23 races and ran nearly every week of his career without hoisting the championship trophy. Hamlin’s inclusion in this group is both an honor and a burden — a reminder that sometimes greatness and the ultimate reward don’t always align.

Hometown Faith and Virginia Pride

Hamlin’s roots in Chesterfield, Virginia continue to be a core part of his identity. He proudly represents his state, and the fans who grew up watching him rise from dirt tracks to the national spotlight have never wavered in their support.

For those who’ve followed his journey from the local circuits to NASCAR’s biggest stages, the latest Virginia sportsbook deals offer a chance to back their hometown hero as he continues his pursuit of that elusive Cup Series championship. Whether he finally secures the title or not, Hamlin’s roots in Virginia remain a defining part of his legacy.

The 2025 Season So Far

As of June 2025, Hamlin has already added two victories to his storied career, proving that he’s still a contender even in his early 40s. His racecraft remains sharp, and he continues to guide Joe Gibbs Racing’s younger drivers with his wealth of experience.

However, the question lingers: Can he maintain this level of performance through the high-stakes playoff rounds? The pressure is immense, and the expectations are unforgiving. Every lap feels more meaningful. Every race might be the last shot at rewriting the ending of his storied narrative.

The Final Push

Denny Hamlin’s legacy is already built — 56 Cup Series wins, three Daytona 500 trophies, an unbroken career with Joe Gibbs Racing, a loyal fan base in Virginia, and undeniable influence as a driver-owner. He is, without debate, one of NASCAR’s all-time greats. But one final chapter remains unwritten.

The sport’s history books are filled with near-misses, but Hamlin still holds the pen. Whether 2025 becomes the year he finally conquers the summit or ends as another haunting “almost,” fans and rivals alike know they’re watching something rare — a champion in every sense, except the one that shines the brightest.



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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts To Major 2026 NASCAR Rumors

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts To Major 2026 NASCAR Rumors originally appeared on The Spun. The NASCAR Cup Series hasn’t released its 2026 race schedule yet, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. has noticed a few things that fans might find especially interesting. Advertisement On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt noted that the […]

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts To Major 2026 NASCAR Rumors originally appeared on The Spun.

The NASCAR Cup Series hasn’t released its 2026 race schedule yet, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. has noticed a few things that fans might find especially interesting.

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On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt noted that the Chicago road race could be moved or outright canceled since the city’s contract with NASCAR is running out. He said that he loves the Chicago road race but is a bit worried that an agreement might not be reached.

“I can’t even imagine how much of a spiderweb the agreement or any future agreement or how to even get down that path is for NASCAR in the city and all that (expletive),” Earnhardt said. “You don’t know who’s telling the truth about whether they really want to do this again or not. If they said tomorrow, ‘Yeah, there’s a new two-year deal or three-year deal, I wouldn’t be mad about it. The race itself is entertaining as (expletive).”

Earnhardt expressed hope that the city of San Diego might replace Chicago if needs be. Though in his perfect world, NASCAR would be racing in both Chicago and San Diego while potentially parting ways with Mexico City.

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“I don’t know if they’ll go back. I hear that San Diego is going to take its place,” Earnhardt stated. “There will be a street course in San Diego of some type. That is what will take Chicago’s place. It doesn’t mean that Chicago can’t still exist. Maybe Mexico City goes away, and Chicago shifts to a different part of the schedule, I don’t know. I think there’s a potential where you could see us racing at Chicago and San Diego, for sure. There’s a world where that exists.”

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 01: Brad Perez, driver of the #53 Bonesteel Aerospace Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 at the Chicago Street Course on July 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Sean Gardner/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 01: Brad Perez, driver of the #53 Bonesteel Aerospace Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 at the Chicago Street Course on July 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Sean Gardner/Getty Images

But Earnhardt recognized that NASCAR might not be keen on adding yet another road course since they already have several.

“I don’t think that they’re adding another road course,” he said. “Whatever the number is today, that will be the number next year, but I don’t know which race tracks it’s going to be. I’m feeling like the San Diego deal is done. People will say it’s not done, but I feel like it’s done.

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“And then it’s like 50/50 between going back to Chicago or going back to Mexico City. Then you always have the hope that we get to Montreal again, and I think it’s NASCAR’s intention to get there. That might not happen next year.”

Will NASCAR be leaving Chicago next season?

Related: Bubba Wallace Had Special Message For NASCAR Fans In Chicago

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts To Major 2026 NASCAR Rumors first appeared on The Spun on Jul 10, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.



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NASCAR’s Ross Chastain gets the 607 revved up for racing at the Glen

CORNING, NY (WBNG) — It’s not time to start your engines just yet, but with exactly one month until the Go Bowling at the Glen, one driver stopped by for a pretty cool experience at the Corning Museum of Glass. NASCAR’s Ross chastain was in the Southern Tier to help local race fans get ready […]

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CORNING, NY (WBNG) — It’s not time to start your engines just yet, but with exactly one month until the Go Bowling at the Glen, one driver stopped by for a pretty cool experience at the Corning Museum of Glass.

NASCAR’s Ross chastain was in the Southern Tier to help local race fans get ready for the upcoming race weekend in Watkins Glen.

The driver of the Trackhouse Racing #1 car met with fans, signed autographs, and learned more about the place where NASCAR’s championship trophies are created.

“To hear from the experts in glass blowing, and this glass making process, learning a bit about the history and trying to take it all in. Now the trophy means more now that I know where it came from,” said Chastain.

The Go Racing at the Glen weekend begins Friday, August 8th. The NASCAR race highlights the three days of festivities on Sunday, August 10th.



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NASCAR Sonoma full weekend schedule, TV schedule for Cup Series race

NASCAR returns to Sonoma Raceway in California for a weekend of racing, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Cup Series race on July 13. The ARCA Menards West Series runs the General Tire 200 on July 11, while the Xfinity Series runs the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 on July 12 along with Cup Series practice and qualifying. […]

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NASCAR returns to Sonoma Raceway in California for a weekend of racing, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Cup Series race on July 13.

The ARCA Menards West Series runs the General Tire 200 on July 11, while the Xfinity Series runs the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 on July 12 along with Cup Series practice and qualifying.

Shane van Gisbergen is entered into both the Cup and Xfinity Series races, and he is coming off of a weekend sweep at the Chicago street course last week.

Here is the full on-track schedule at Sonoma:

GET TOYOTA/SAVE MART 350 TICKETS HERE!

All times Central; on-track activity at Sonoma Raceway unless otherwise detailed.

Friday, July 11

1:30 pm. — ARCA Menards Series West practice and qualifying, No TV

3 p.m. — NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying, CW app

5:30 p.m. — General Tire 200 ARCA Menards Series West race (64 laps, 127.3 miles), FLORacing

Saturday, July 12

12:30 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying, truTV (Watch FREE on Fubo)

3:30 p.m. — Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (79 laps, 157 miles), CW Network (Watch FREE on Fubo)

Sunday, July 13

2:30 p.m. — Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race (110 laps, 218.9 miles), TNT (Watch FREE on Fubo) and MAX (in-car cameras)



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2025 NASCAR Sonoma qualifying: Order for Toyota / Save Mart 350

The NASCAR Cup Series is set to take on the Sonoma Raceway for yet another race in the 2025 season. Catch the race on Sunday on TNT at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Qualifying starts Saturday on truTV. Check out the 2025 NASCAR Sonoma qualifying order below. NASCAR Cup Series: Grant Park 165 Highlights | NASCAR on […]

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The NASCAR Cup Series is set to take on the Sonoma Raceway for yet another race in the 2025 season. Catch the race on Sunday on TNT at 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Qualifying starts Saturday on truTV. Check out the 2025 NASCAR Sonoma qualifying order below.

NASCAR Cup Series: Grant Park 165 Highlights | NASCAR on FOX

NASCAR Cup Series: Grant Park 165 Highlights | NASCAR on FOX

Check out the best moments from the NASCAR Cup Series: The Grant Park 165!



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How NASCAR recycles the thousands of tires it used over the Chicago race weekend

CHICAGO — During a weekend of hot, high-speed friction against the asphalt of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course, thousands of tires burn out and wear down. After a few dozen laps, they lose their grip and become obsolete. But their life cycle doesn’t end there. Each NASCAR race weekend, most of the 3,000 tires […]

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CHICAGO — During a weekend of hot, high-speed friction against the asphalt of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course, thousands of tires burn out and wear down. After a few dozen laps, they lose their grip and become obsolete.

But their life cycle doesn’t end there. Each NASCAR race weekend, most of the 3,000 tires provided by Goodyear Racing become a fraction of the tens of thousands recycled annually by Liberty Tire Recycling. Before state laws prohibited it, used tires would be landfilled or stored in stockpiles, said Rick Heinrich, Goodyear’s product manager for NASCAR.

“And at a certain point, that’s got to be dealt with. We came to the realization that there had to be a new use for these tires, and that’s where we’re at today,” he said. “When they’re not usable anymore on the street, they’re very suitable when they’re turned into a different type of product to make other things, things that are all around us.”

In 2024, a total of 215 million tires — including 92,588 from NASCAR — were recycled by Liberty, a company based in North Carolina that collects and processes racing, as well as auto and truck tires, from all across North America, according to spokesperson John Dowdy.

The ideal would be to reuse a tire for the rest of its life, Dowdy said, which is possible when retailers resell gently used auto or truck tires for less than new ones. But, after being used, racing tires don’t usually have any more life left in them, at least in their original form.

At a Liberty facility in Concord, a suburb of Charlotte in North Carolina, NASCAR racing tires are shredded into quarter-sized chips that can be used as aggregate in roadbeds, landfill liners and landscaping products.

“It’s a perfect example of sustainability,” Heinrich said. “You’re taking stuff that’s worn out, you can’t use it again for what it was originally built for, but it goes into something else. Nothing is wasted.”

The shredded tires can also be used as a more efficient fuel to power kilns and boilers in concrete factories, electric plants and pulp and paper mills. However, while burning so-called tire-derived fuel is cleaner than using other fossil fuels, the process still releases some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

IMC Outdoor Living, a division of Liberty in the village of Godfrey in southwest Illinois, makes fully recycled rubber products out of tires for both residential and commercial landscaping. One of these products is rubber mulch, with a realistic texture that makes it look just like its wood counterpart, and which can be used to cover the ground in playgrounds and parks, making it safe for children to jump and land on.

However, there are concerns that such products derived from tires can expose kids to heavy metals and other harmful chemicals, which can act as carcinogens or neurotoxins.

In 2024, the company gave a second life to 4.7 billion pounds of rubber, Dowdy said. That material might otherwise have been disposed of illegally.

These recycled products also eliminate the need to produce entirely new ones, which would entail deforestation. Processing synthetic rubber is an energy-intensive process that can cause pollution, too.

“What we ultimately want to do is, we want to replace virgin rubber in as many goods as we possibly can,” Dowdy said.

Other Liberty recycling facilities grind up the tires into an even smaller end product: crumb rubber. Crumb rubber is at most 0.25 inches, and a single passenger car tire can produce some 10 to 12 pounds of the product.

In one of its main uses, crumb rubber is mixed into asphalt to make it more durable and resistant to cracking.

In September of last year, 2,800 end-of-life auto tires from Walmart were processed by Liberty and became part of a mix used to repave the parking lot of one of the chain retailer’s stores, in Rolla, Mo.

“We’re keeping tires from going into and just clogging up landfills, or being dumped (in) nature and creating all this blight,” Dowdy said. “We can actually create products that make other things better.”



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Suburban Propane Sponsors NASCAR Charity Event at Sonoma Raceway

WHIPPANY, N.J. and SONOMA, Calif., July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, is pleased to announce its role […]

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WHIPPANY, N.J. and SONOMA, Calif., July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, is pleased to announce its role as the main sponsor of Track to Table, an exclusive event uniting the charitable, culinary, and motorsports communities, to kick off Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

Sonoma Raceway Logo

This debut Track to Table event will take place on Friday, July 11, at the iconic Turn 11 Club at Sonoma Raceway, merging the adrenaline of NASCAR with the flair of fine dining, live music, and charitable giving. All proceeds will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Sonoma County children and families in critical need.

Track to Table is a perfect blend of purpose and celebration, and we’re honored to empower such a meaningful evening that supports children and families,” said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. “As a proud partner of Speedway Motorsports and a long-time supporter of community-focused initiatives through our SuburbanCares platform, Suburban Propane is delighted to help bring this remarkable new tradition to life.”

Through its SuburbanCares pillar, Suburban Propane is committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Supporting Track to Table aligns with the company’s broader mission to fuel positive change, champion local organizations, and support programs that directly impact children and families in need.

“We’re excited to kick off race weekend by celebrating the incredible food and wine that make Sonoma so special,” said Courtney Kiser, Director of Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma. “We’re grateful to partner with those who share our deep commitment to helping vulnerable children lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives—no matter the challenges they face.”

Guests will indulge in an unforgettable culinary experience of exquisitely prepared dishes with wine pairings provided by Viansa Winery, Three Fat Guys Wines and Caymus Suisun. The evening will also feature an acoustic performance by country music artist Tim Dugger, a live charity auction and memorable surprises throughout, making it one of the most anticipated new events of the summer.

About Suburban Propane:
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (“Suburban Propane”) is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban Propane has been in the customer service business since 1928 and is a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas (“RNG”), fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and producer of and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, servicing the energy needs of approximately 1 million residential, commercial, governmental, industrial and agricultural customers through approximately 700 locations across 42 state.

Suburban Propane is supported by three core pillars: (1) Suburban Commitment – showcasing Suburban Propane’s almost 100-year legacy, an ongoing commitment to the highest standards for dependability, flexibility, and reliability that underscores Suburban Propane’s commitment to excellence in customer service; (2) SuburbanCares – highlighting continued dedication to giving back to local communities across Suburban Propane’s national footprint; and (3) Go Green with Suburban Propane – promoting the clean burning and versatile nature of propane and renewable propane as a bridge to a green energy future and investing in the next generation of innovative, renewable energy alternatives.

For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit www.suburbanpropane.com. 

ABOUT SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS:
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

ABOUT SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES:
The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical needs to help them lead productive lives. SCC provides funding for hundreds of nonprofit organizations nationwide that meet children’s direct needs. Its vision is that every child has the same opportunities no matter what obstacle they are facing.

Speedway Children's Charities Logo

Suburban Propane Logo (PRNewsfoto/Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/suburban-propane-named-title-sponsor-of-track-to-table-at-sonoma-raceway-benefiting-speedway-childrens-charities-302503316.html

SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.



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