Denny Hamlin reveals intriguing backstory of his full name, James Dennis Alan Hamlin

Denny Hamlin recently opened up about the history of his full name, James Dennis Alan Hamlin, in the "Hamlin family." #11 Hamlin is a full-time Joe Gibbs Racing driver and co-owns the 23XI Racing team.

With over 54 Cup Series wins, Hamlin is one of the best drivers of the modern NASCAR era without a title. The Tampa, Florida, native has an impressive record of qualifying in every season in which he has competed full-time. He is currently also a top contender to clinch the 2024 Cup Championship.

In a recent episode of "Kenny Conversation," former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace jokingly asked the 43-year-old Hamlin about his full name. Wallace pointed out that Hamlin's full name, James Dennis Alan Hamlin, doesn't include "Denny" at all. Here's what Hamlin said in response: [10:40]:

"So my dad is Dennis Allen Hamlin and James was a name that has been passed down in the Hamlin family for generations. And his dad's name was Junior and so I was the next one to need to get James put in my name. My parents didn't know and at the time there were no other Hamlins with the name James going in the next generation. So he says, 'I want him to be Dennis Hamlin Jr. but I gotta put James in there so I just put James Dennis Allen Hamlin."

"So I'm not actually a junior to my dad even though he'll say he's big Denny I'm little Denny but yeah James is just a family name that has been passed down," Hamlin added.

Hamlin even revealed that he passed on James, as a middle name to his elder daughter, Taylor James Hamlin. He has another daughter by the name of Molly Gold Hamlin, who is younger than Taylor. Earlier this year, after nearly a decade together, Hamlin got engaged to Jordan Fish.

With the 2024 NASCAR playoffs approaching, Denny Hamlin sets his sights on finally claiming his first Cup Series Championship.

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Can Denny Hamlin finally win a Championship title?

Ahead of the Great American Getaway 400 event at Pocono Raceway, NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin was asked if he could capitalize on the remaining six races for a chance to win the regular-season championship. Hamlin has so far garnered three wins in the 2024 Cup Series season.

Speaking to the media in the pre-race presser, Hamlin said, [at 11:52]

"I think unless they (drivers above him in points) have problems, it’ll be tough. But everyone is struggling to find consistency, right? We were as consistent as anyone for five weeks and now have had five weeks the exact opposite, so just think, you know, we’ll need help for sure and we’ll need to be as good as we were two months ago, right? As far as execution and finishing positions. It’s very, very possible."

Hamlin is currently at P4 in the overall points standings, one spot below his own 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick. The 43-year-old is 42 points behind the table leader, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports, whom Hamlin seemingly considers his rival in the Cup Series.