In NASCAR, age and the number of career starts have not limited some top drivers from continuing to achieve victory. Denny Hamlin, a Virginia native, is demonstrating this trend in the 2025 season with multiple wins despite being 44 years old, while others like Joey Logano approach significant career milestones. The notion of retirement due to age or surpassing 600 Cup Series starts is being challenged as drivers maintain competitiveness well into the later stages of their careers.
This season, Hamlin has secured three race victories, entering the Dover Motor Speedway race ranked fifth in the Cup standings and trailing the leader William Byron by only 62 points. Missing the Mexico City race due to the birth of his third child temporarily paused his momentum, but his performance remains strong overall. Hamlin holds the record as the winningest active driver in the Cup Series and stands third among those who have won races after their 600th career start. Logano is poised to join this exclusive group as he reaches his 600th start this weekend.
Joey Logano’s milestone is significant, marking him as only the 34th driver in Cup Series history to reach 600 races. Among these seasoned drivers, only 15 have achieved victory at or beyond this marker.
This Sunday, Joey Logano is set to become just the 34th driver in Cup Series history to start 600 races. Only 15 drivers have earned a win on or after their 600th start.
How many more wins do you think the 3x champion gets? pic.twitter.com/v7LpbupIXW
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) July 18, 2025
Denny Hamlin’s success after age 40 is notable—13 of his 57 total Cup wins have come since crossing that threshold, with nine victories occurring after his 600th start. This illustrates a career longevity that defies typical expectations in such a physically and mentally demanding sport.
Drivers Who Thrive in the Later Stages of Their Careers
Among drivers with outstanding longevity, Kevin Harvick stands out for his win percentage after crossing 600 starts. He has completed 826 career Cup starts, with nearly half of his 60 wins—29—coming after turning 40 years old. Additionally, 24 of those victories occurred past the 600-start mark, underscoring his sustained excellence.
Richard Petty, known as “The King,” holds second place on this list. Throughout his extensive career of 1,184 Cup starts, Petty earned 200 wins in total. Fifteen victories came after age 40, and 51 wins took place after surpassing 600 races, demonstrating remarkable durability and skill.
Following Hamlin are other notable drivers, including the late Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt secured 26 wins after turning 40, but only five came after his 600th start, a reflection of his untimely passing during his 676th career race. Jeff Gordon, who retired and returned to assist Hendrick Motorsports when Dale Earnhardt Jr. was injured, earned five wins past his 40th birthday and 11 victories beyond 600 starts in a career totaling 805 races.
The extended list includes prominent names such as Bobby Allison, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ricky Rudd, Matt Kenseth, Rusty Wallace, and Terry Labonte. Each of these drivers has demonstrated the ability to compete at a high level well beyond what was once considered the prime years in NASCAR.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future and Driver Endurance
This trend of prolonged competitiveness among veteran drivers like Hamlin, Logano, and others signals a shift in NASCAR’s landscape, where experience and adaptability increasingly contribute to success. Physical conditioning, team support, and advancements in racing technology also play roles in extending careers.
As Logano reaches his 600th start, fans will be watching to see if he can add to his win tally, continuing the legacy of drivers succeeding later in their careers. Meanwhile, Hamlin’s ongoing performance emphasizes how longevity in NASCAR is no longer solely defined by youth but by resilience, skill, and determination.
With multiple drivers now able to sustain winning form beyond traditional retirement ages and high start counts, NASCAR’s future races promise a blend of seasoned expertise and emerging talent, enriching the competition and inspiring fans worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he has achieved a remarkable career. He has won 51 Cup Series races and the Daytona 500 three times—in 2016, 2019, and 2020. During his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. From a young age, Jordan loved dancing, which led her to dance for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now known as the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan and Hamlin met when she performed at one of the Bobcats’ games.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin is worth about $65 million, thanks to his racing success, profitable endorsements, a growing team ownership, and wise real estate choices. Whether racing or managing a team, Hamlin consistently makes smart decisions.