Denny Hamlin is the latest driver to be included in NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers list.
He is also the second active driver to make the list after Kyle Larson’s inclusion on April 13.
The list is NASCAR’s way of celebrating its 75th anniversary. They are updating their 1998 list of the 50 greatest drivers, which they release as a celebration of their 50th anniversary.
The new drivers alongside Larson and Hamlin to be included in the list are Ryan Newman, Sterling Marlin, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart and Randy LaJoie, Mike Stefanik and Kasey Kahne.
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Hamlin’s achievement in NASCAR includes 48 career Cup Series wins, three of which are the prestigious Daytona 500 wins, 17 Xfinity Series wins and two Truck Series wins. He has managed to win at least one race in 16 of the 18 seasons.
And he is only behind Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick in terms of the number of wins in the Cup Series. But it is surprising that he has been included in the list ahead of the two drivers. Nonetheless, the list is not a reflection of the hierarchical position of the drivers included and it will only make sense when all the drivers are announced.
While Denny Hamlin is certainly one of the best active drivers, the fact that he hasn’t won the Cup Series championship sometimes affects his status as a NASCAR great. Many fans take this as a criticism of Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 driver. However, most fans agree that he has earned his right to be on the list.
I see this as an absolute win. Congratulations @dennyhamlin. Well deserved https://t.co/r1SpbofSPs
— Fast Racey Stuff Doodle Boy (@gmal1996designs) April 20, 2023
Another good choice. Excluding the brickyard, he has won every crown jewel and he has 3 Daytona 500s to prove it https://t.co/T6F4b6ThcZ
— Ian ✌🏾 (@GRoddy3x) April 20, 2023
Undeserving
— nascarfan (@nascarfan674) April 20, 2023
crown jewel merchant🤣🤣🤣
— WJ (@oshomerhose) April 20, 2023
He’s just average at best.
— Dale C Peterman (@DaleCPeterman) April 20, 2023
Bring on the haters!!! Been a fan of @dennyhamlin since I started watching Nascar in 2006 his rookie year. He won the very first 2 Nascar races I’ve ever been to. 100% deserved. 48 wins, 3 Daytona 500s, 3 Southern 500s, a 600 win. https://t.co/UpomRaF2NT
— Sparks5150 (@Sparks5150) April 20, 2023
Championship or not, he will be remembered as a legend in this sport! You deserve it @dennyhamlin! https://t.co/TJUutEWJwh
— FireBall Hamlin (@Fireball_Hamlin) April 20, 2023
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