From Richmond’s short tracks to the NASCAR Cup spotlight, few have carved a path as enduring and fearless as Denny Hamlin. Entering the Cup Series as a young juggernaut, Hamlin quickly emerged as a perennial contender, with his precision behind the wheel and unwavering consistency transforming him into the backbone of Joe Gibbs Racing. Over two decades, he climbed to 59 career wins, stood on the brink of a championship several times, and became known for his relentless pursuit, both on and off the track. At 44, with 713 Cup starts to his name, Hamlin remains the oldest active playoff driver. But though age hasn’t dulled his fire, which was clear at Gateway, Hamlin managed to make everyone, lovers and haters, emotional for a feared reason.

At the World Wide Technology Raceway, Hamlin didn’

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