Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin captured a key win in the NASCAR Playoffs at the World Wide Technology Raceway.
Hamlin started the race in pole position, and he managed to fight off Chase Briscoe and Chase Elliott, who finished in second and third, respectively.
After his win, the veteran called out the fans in the crowd for booing his victory.
“Yeah, it’s so big for everyone at Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing. The Toyota was just great there at the end,” Hamilton said after the race.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 07, 2025 in Madison, Illinois
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 07, 2025 in Madison, Illinois
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
“And so happy to get this victory and my dad’s not feeling well at home. So just shoutout to him, the whole family’s here, so fantastic day and it couldn’t be better. … Just step up.
“I mean, all I can do is just keep being a student of the game, keep trying to get better, and every week is a chance to get a little better. I just told [Bill Murray] him to talk to the guys behind me and make sure they stay behind me the rest of the race.
“So we made that happen. Man, it’s just a great victory. Love that Denny Time flag. You all can boo me, but you can either get on the bandwagon, or you can get run over by it.”
This is far from the first time that Hamlin has addressed the boos, doing something similar after winning in Michigan earlier this season.
According to the driver, his father, Dennis Hamlin Sr., has told his son to stop poking the attendees and viewers, but the 23-XI co-owner could not help himself.
Denny opted to celebrate his win as if it were his last competition and apologized to his father later.
“You beg for forgiveness on this one just because you never know,” the race winner added after admitting his response would probably not be approved by his father.
“You never know when it’s your last. This could be my last win. This could be the last time I’m talking to you with my driver’s suit on after a race. We just never know.
“I try my best to enjoy the moment and do the best I can to rile up the fans any chance I get.”
His victory was a notable one — his fifth win of the season and 59th in his career.
Even until the very end, Denny Hamlin is staying true to his colors and asking for forgiveness later.
NASCAR Playoffs Standings After Gateway RaceChase Briscoe Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson +60 ahead of 13th
Bubba 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