20 Most Iconic Finishes Involving Denny Hamlin
Here's a thrilling countdown of Denny Hamlin’s most unforgettable race endings.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Denny Hamlin has delivered countless heart-stopping moments in NASCAR, turning finish lines into legendary scenes. From photo finishes at Daytona to ruthless passes in the playoffs, his career sparkles with dramatic conclusions. These 20 unforgettable endings highlight why he’s beloved by fans and feared by rivals.
20. 2025 Richmond Clutch Last-Lap Dash
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On worn tires, he fended off a charging opponent during the final corners. His blocking and throttle control commanded admiration.
19. 2025 Sonoma Road-Course Mastery
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In a first attempt at road-course success, Hamlin passed two rivals in the final miles. His short-track background helped him late in the laps.
18. 2024 Talladega Chaotic Superstretch
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Hamlin navigated a bottleneck of cars with calm into the superstretch to snatch victory. The chaos was absolute, and he emerged on top.
17. 2024 Martinsville Final Corner Heroics
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He slid forward and hugged the wall to power past his rival on the final lap — a beautiful blend of bravery and precision. Social media erupted as soon as it happened.
16. 2024 Daytona Clash Survival
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In a multi-car crash near the finish, Hamlin avoided disaster and edged across to win. His spatial awareness saved him. It reinforced his ‘always there’ mentality in pack racing.
15. 2023 Las Vegas Late-Stage Attack
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When the track narrowed late on, he found room around the outside to claim victory. It was a bold gamble with maximum reward.
14. 2023 Martinsville Night Triumph
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Under floodlights, he delivered a daring pass off Turn 4 lap after lap until he finally pulled ahead in the final corner. His patience paid off in the coolest way.
13. 2022 Talladega Martin’s Charge
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In a last-lap masterclass, Hamlin navigated through a freight train of cars to take the lead. Superspeedway drafting at its finest.
12. 2022 Kansas Fuel Strategy
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With pit lane chaos swirling, he stayed out and managed fuel perfectly to the flag. The gamble rewarded him with a win when others faded.
11. 2022 Darlington Bump-and-Run
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Under bright lights, he nudged his rival at Turn 3 on the final lap and claimed victory. Some cheered, others groaned, but all agreed on the drama.
10. 2021 Bristol Dirt Showdown
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Competing on dirt, Hamlin stayed composed while others slipped, grabbing the lead late. Dirt added unpredictability, but he mastered the surface. That win highlighted his versatility.
9. 2021 Phoenix Photo Finish
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A late-race restart led to a three-wide sprint, with Hamlin squeezing out the win by mere inches. The intensity of that late duel was unforgettable.
8. 2020 Darlington Throwback Success
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In retro livery, Hamlin dashed ahead in the last laps at The Lady in Black. His hometown crowd roared as he took the checkers. It felt like NASCAR history coming home.
7. 2020 Homestead Championship Clincher
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He fought throughout the race and held on to secure a spot in the championship race at Phoenix. Though not the final win, it was a key stepping stone. His consistency under pressure stood out.
6. 2019 Martinsville Short-Track Duel
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In a tight two-car duel, he bumped his way into the lead in the final corners at Martinsville. The blue-collar track rewarded his gritty driving.
5. 2018 Daytona Talladega Sprint
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During a chaotic superspeedway battle, Hamlin used the aero draft to his benefit and coasted across the finish. The slipstream tactic was textbook NASCAR strategy.
4. 2017 Fontana Fuel Gamble
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Running low on gas, Hamlin relied on fuel conservation during the closing laps at Auto Club Speedway. It paid off: he slid past fading competitors on the final turn.
3. 2016 Richmond Playoff Pass
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With championship hopes on the line, he executed a bold last-lap move in Richmond. He sliced inside another car at Turn 3 and held the line to win.
2. 2011 Texas Triple Finish
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Three cars barreled toward the finish, and Hamlin piped them all in a photo finish delight. That razor-thin margin showcased his steely nerve in chaos.
1. 2010 Daytona 500 Victory
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In a blistering showdown, Hamlin edged out his rivals at the line to claim his very first 500 title. His careful drafting and split-second timing secured a milestone win. It instantly cemented his legacy at the sport’s biggest stage.