NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin won the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, making it his 59th win of his career.
While he has tons of wins, there is still a significant achievement that has eluded him.
Hamlin has yet to capture a NASCAR Cup Series championship, despite racing for more than two decades in the series.
Sitting in second place after his win, Hamlin is closer than ever to achieving his goal.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 06, 2025 in Madison, Illinois
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 06, 2025 in Madison, Illinois
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
For the 44-year-old, it is not about whether his title comes, but rather the number of races he will win in his career.
“It’s always been about number of races,” Hamlin said in his post-race press conference.
“The only one I thought about was this year and the Daytona 500, thinking that (I’m) probably only going to do this twice more. Brickyards, right?
“I haven’t won the freaking Brickyard. I’m going to have two more shots at it, and that’s it, to round this thing out.
“There are certain races that I do have countdowns for. Championships isn’t one of ’em. Obviously, it’s well-documented that I want to get the wins, and I feel like that will carry its weight long after.
“When you compare me to someone that’s maybe got one or two, maybe three championships, and half the wins, I don’t think that person’s better than I am.”
For the remaining races, Hamlin is still aiming to win as much as possible, with his effort level in the end being something he could regret if he does not put in maximum effort.
“It’s like, the countdown has begun and I just don’t want to end knowing, ‘Man! Those last 70 races, I didn’t really give it my all. I could have had 70 wins if I really buckled down and I really gave it all, and I’m going to regret one day not having the wins that the work ethic kept me from doing,'” Hamlin added.
“So, that would weigh on me well beyond my driving career, and there’s no way I could live with the weight on my shoulders knowing that I shipped it in for the last 70 or so races.”
Hamilton has several races to go in his career, and a Cup Series title could still be on the cards, but it will not determine how he views his legacy; rather, it will be the complete picture of his career.
NASCAR Playoffs Standings After Gateway RaceChase BriscoeDenny HamlinKyle Larson +60 ahead of 13thBubba Wallace +50Ryan Blaney +42William Byron +39Tyler Reddick +37Christopher Bell +32Chase Elliott +28Joey Logano +21Ross Chastain +19Austin Cindric +11Austin Dillon -11 behind 12thShane van Gisbergen -15Alex Bowman -35Josh Berry -45
*Bolded are not making the cut
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