Denny Hamlin, the 44-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, claimed a determined win at Dover on Sunday, marking his second consecutive victory at the track. This triumph represented Hamlin’s fourth win of the 2025 season and his 58th career Cup Series victory. The win highlighted Hamlin’s mental strength, a quality praised by former racer Kenny Wallace and others within the NASCAR community.
Hamlin’s Resilience Amid Pressure and Rivalries Stands Out
Throughout his career, Hamlin has often been viewed as a polarizing figure, one who embraces the role of the sport’s villain. This mindset fuels his competitive edge, allowing him to thrive under pressure. Recently, Hamlin faced the added stress of a charter lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and intense competition from teammates during the Dover race. His ability to stay composed and focused impressed his competitor Kyle Larson as well as Kenny Wallace.
Kyle Larson commented on Hamlin’s performance, acknowledging his skill in maintaining high-speed control and battling fiercely in the race.
Kenny Wallace Highlights Hamlin’s Mental Toughness and Response to Critics
Kenny Wallace, speaking through his YouTube channel, emphasized how Hamlin excels in silencing critics, a trait Wallace personally relates to from defending his brother, former Cup champion Rusty Wallace. Wallace explained that whenever people would badmouth his brother, he remained composed and confident—a reaction he sees mirrored in Hamlin’s approach.
Denny Hamlin knows that you guys don’t like him, but he says he loves it. The one thing I learned about Denny Hamlin, just like Rusty Wallace, when people would talk s*** about my big brother, I take a drink of my coffee and I’m like ‘You’ve done f*cked up.’
— Kenny Wallace
Wallace expressed surprise and admiration at Hamlin’s ability to shut out external distractions while competing, predicting a Hall of Fame career due to this exceptional mental resilience.
It shocks me that Denny Hamlin can go out and win these races, and he hears all these noises going on. My friends, Denny Hamlin is one of the greats. He’s a Hall of Famer; he will go down in history as one of the strongest mental people I’ve ever witnessed.
— Kenny Wallace
Challenging Overtime Battle with JGR Teammates Adds to the Stress
One of the most intense moments during the race came with the overtime restart, forcing Hamlin to compete directly against his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates. Initially, he battled Christopher Bell, who later wrecked, followed by a close contest with Chase Briscoe. Hamlin remained careful not to cross the line with his teammates, showing respect amid a stressful situation.
Ultimately, I got the better end of all the restarts in the end, but it was certainly stressful to have to overcome those three overtime finishes there, or however many cautions it was. It was a tough battle.
— Denny Hamlin
The respectful conduct among JGR drivers during these restarts reflected team owner Joe Gibbs’ emphasis on clean racing within the team. Unlike potential aggressive moves from other drivers, this strategy helped avoid further incidents and allowed Hamlin to secure the win.
Implications of Hamlin’s Mental Strength for NASCAR’s Future
Denny Hamlin’s ability to maintain focus and composure amid pressures, rivalries, and external criticism reinforces his position as one of NASCAR’s top athletes with remarkable mental toughness. His recent success at Dover underlines a legacy of resilience and competitiveness that could soon earn him a place in the Hall of Fame. With ongoing contests and challenges throughout the season, Hamlin’s strength of mind will remain a key factor in his sustained success and influence within the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. He has since become a racing legend.
Hamlin has won 51 Cup Series races and claimed victory at the Daytona 500 three times (2016, 2019, 2020).
Throughout his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has built a net worth of about $65 million through his achievements in racing, profitable endorsement contracts, and wise real estate choices. Whether he is driving a race car or managing a racing team, Hamlin consistently makes successful decisions both on and off the track.