Denny Hamlin sends a message to the No.11 team after a stunning turnaround sealed his sixth Darlington win

Modified Apr 07, 2025 01:40 GMT

NASCAR: Goodyear 400 - Source: Imagn — NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) and his crew celebrate the win during the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway - Source: Imagn

Denny Hamlin stunned fans at Darlington Raceway with a dramatic overtime win that sealed his sixth career victory at the track. The comeback was made possible by a clutch pit stop from the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team and a clean restart in the closing laps.

In a media availability after the race, shared by Speedway Digest, the veteran driver credited his team for the win, calling it a “great team victory.” Despite not having the fastest car, Hamlin admitted the difference was made on pit road.

“Our pit crew won it,” Hamlin said post-race.

“It comes down to these crunch time situations. I had to do my job on pit road executing, but I have to thank Sport Clips, TRD, Progressive... My kids, my family, my fiancé. I mean, what a great day!” he added.

Sunday’s win was Denny Hamlin’s 56th career win in the NASCAR Cup Series. That puts him 11th on the all-time wins list. It was also his second straight win of the 2025 season, following Martinsville. With this result, Hamlin ties for fourth in all-time Darlington wins.

Hamlin didn’t lead the most laps—that honor went to William Byron, who led 243—but he was in the right place at the right time. A race-flipping yellow opened the door, and the No. 11 team capitalized with perfect execution. Hamlin came off pit road strong, survived the overtime restart, and crossed the finish line ahead of William Byron and Christopher Bell. According to Hamlin, this wasn’t a dominant win. Hamlin himself admitted,

“I thought third place (was) kind of what we had.”

The win pushes Denny Hamlin to second in the overall driver standings with 266 points. He now has 2 wins, 4 top-5s, and 5 top-10s in 8 starts this season. Hamlin has led 308 laps this year and is averaging a 10.625 finish per race.

Jordan’s business pull is helping 23XI Racing grow in NASCAR, Denny Hamlin comments

During the Darlington weekend, Denny Hamlin spoke about how Michael Jordan’s fame has become a valuable asset for 23XI Racing. The team, which Hamlin co-owns with the NBA legend, has been attracting sponsors with strong links to Jordan’s legacy and reputation in sports. Speaking to Speedway Digest, Hamlin explained that Jordan’s presence brings immediate attention.

“I think that certainly Michael’s brand and things like that attracts a lot of different companies to be associated with,” Hamlin said.

While the latest sponsor, Robinhood, wasn’t directly brought in by Jordan, the association helped everything fall into place.

“That was more of an agency thing, so all came together really nicely,” he added.

Robinhood has ties in the NBA, sponsoring teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Washington Wizards. Now, they are moving into NASCAR, backing Bubba Wallace and development driver Corey Heim for select races this season. Heim is set to debut the brand’s neon livery on his No. 67 Toyota Camry at Kansas Speedway on May 11.

About the author

Dipti Sood is a Motorsport journalist at Sportskeeda with over three years of experience. A Political Science graduate and aspiring law professional, her love for motorsports ignited when she began following the careers of her favorite F1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz.

Dipti has previously worked with Sportskeeda in the US Olympics static department, which sparked her interest in sports writing. Her professional journey also includes work with a sports startup, where she honed her copywriting skills. These experiences, combined with her meticulous approach to research and fact-checking, enable her to deliver accurate, ethical, and engaging content.

To stay updated with the latest in motorsports, Dipti follows credible sources such as ESPN, Autosport, and RacingNews365, along with respected journalists like Chris Medland. She also keeps an eye on official social media handles to uncover fresh perspectives.

Outside of writing, Dipti enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts. A constructors fan with a soft spot for certain drivers, she dreams of witnessing the return of the Buddh International Circuit to the F1 calendar, bringing the excitement of Formula 1 back to India.

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Edited by Anisha Chatterjee