Denny Hamlin is on the verge of creating history at the Daytona 500. The NASCAR veteran has won the iconic NASCAR race in 2019 and in 2020. Even though Richard Petty is the king of Daytona with seven wins, he has never achieved a hat-trick of wins. Now, Hamlin is on the verge of achieving it. Recently, he spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about gunning for his third successive win. He said [https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNASCAR/status/1357781221275803651], “I think it’s as difficult as it’s ever been. The cars are closer together, especially with the aerodynamic package that we have now. It creates huge holes in the air, there’s more attrition than there’s ever been, more wrecks.” According to the veteran, the likelihood of getting in an accident is higher than ever. Denny Hamlin also admitted that there is an element of luck involved as well. However, he also said that luck alone will not help, but drivers also need skills to finish the race. WHAT ELSE DID DENNY HAMLIN SAY? The Joe Gibbs Racing driver confessed that very few people get lucky at the Daytona 500. This is because they have to make certain moves to enjoy some success. At the end of the day, it is a matter of being able to get to that stage of the race. Denny Hamlin after winning the Daytona 500 [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1206970275.jpg]DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Coming to his own form at the track, Hamlin was amazed that he performed so well. This is especially evident in the last five or six years, and he hopes to carry on that momentum. On the other side of the argument, Denny Hamlin said that the law of averages could mean that some bad luck may be due. However, he will take things one step at a time. Hopefully, the #11 driver is able to complete his hat-trick and be the first driver to achieve this feat. If he does manage it, he will definitely go down in history. READ MORE: New NASCAR Contract Puts an End to All Doubts About Denny Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing Future [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-new-nascar-contract-puts-an-end-to-all-doubts-about-denny-hamlin-joe-gibbs-racing-future/] 

Denny Hamlin is on the verge of creating history at the Daytona 500, having won
the last two editions and is close to making it a hat-trick.

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial "birthplace of speed", Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/nascar-cup-series/">NASCAR Cup Series</a> schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races.

[caption id="attachment_1627382" align="alignnone" width="1"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1627382" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1024835900h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1" height="1" /> Daytona International Speedway plays host to the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series for the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, FL, USA. Daytona Beach United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20230219_zaf_c04_386 Copyright: xWalterxGxArcexSrxActionxSportsxPx[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Origins of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
While many stories about the origin of Daytona races date back to 1903 when two men challenged each other to a race to decide whose horseless carriage was the fastest, the sturdy stock car race at the iconic location came into being in 1959, courtesy of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. And on February 22, in front of 41,000 people, the revered race planted its seed to mega-stardom. The inaugural race was the only instance when both hard top and convertible vehicles were allowed to race. Since then, the Daytona 500 has been much-awaited by stock car racing fans every year.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-2632995 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/DoBedrfXoAAjZ5P-1.jpeg" alt="" width="3000" height="2400" />

And while the Daytona Beach, Florida location is already iconic, the track that hosts the Daytona 500 race is just as well-thought out and executed. Wanting to give fans an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Bill Frances Sr brainstormed alongside engineers to create a track that would have the highest banking, allowing cars to reach topmost speed. And soon the prospect presented itself in the form of a tri-oval with 31 degrees banking at turns and 18 degrees at the start/finish lines. With 2.5 mile in length, today, the race lasts 500 miles/200 laps.

The first-ever Daytona 500, called the <b>1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona</b> back then, saw 59 cars competing.Â The winning purse of the inaugural race had a steep value of $53, 050, out of which Lee Petty took home $19,050 for his victory while the runner-up Beauchamp secured $7,650.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>Why is the Daytona 500 called â€˜The Great American Raceâ€™</strong></span></h2>
As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR's crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven't been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl.

The Daytona 500 has also been synonymous with the President's Day weekend in every NASCAR fan's heart. From 1968 to 2011, the race was held on President's Day weekend every year. However, NASCAR decided to change that in 2012 with news of an NFL schedule revamp doing the rounds. As per reports, NFL was planning to expand its 18-game regular season and as per the new roster, the Super Bowl was to be held on the same day as the Daytona 500. Sensing a dent on viewership numbers, the stock car racing organization move the race. However, as the NFL season-expansion plans failed to reach fruition, the Daytona 500 was moved to its original calendar spot. Now, that's definitely a win-win!

While the winning purse of the Daytona 500 is already a stuff of legends, sitting atop with the largest return, the trophy being awarded to the victors isn't any less prized either. Called the Harley J Earl trophy, the prize has been named after legendary automobile designer, Harley Earl, who was also a close friend of Bill France Sr and a General Motors executive back in the day. Earl is most significantly known for being the Father of the Corvette. He has also been credited for designing the Firebird I prototype. The Daytona 500 race is full of prestige and perks for sure.

One other aspect that the race victor gets to experience is their car being showcased at the Daytona 500 experience, for one year in its race-winning condition. For the uninitiated, the Daytona 500 Experience is a museum and gallery situated next to the Daytona International Speedway.

[caption id="attachment_1948603" align="alignnone" width="1800"]<img class="wp-image-1948603 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0004296892h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1800" height="1200" /> Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme - (ZUMAse4)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Highlights of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty's father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-2491357 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/lee-petty.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1262" />

&nbsp;

Lee Petty's son isn't much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/richard-petty/">Richard Petty</a> sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981.

While the initial years of the Daytona 500 didn't see much vehicle policing, it soon became apparent that certain rules and restrictions would have to be put in place. One of the biggest instances of a change came in 1988 when former stock car racing driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison's car went airborne and hit the catch fence at 200 mph at Talladega in May, the previous year. As a result, restrictor plates were made mandatory in hopes that they would stunt speed, which in turn would stop vehicles from going airborne.

Speaking of Bobby Allison, he also became the oldest driver to win the race at 50 years, 2 months and 11 days, in 1988. On the other hand, Trevor Bayne is the youngest Daytona 500 winner. Bayne was 20 years and 1 day old when he won the event in 2011.

Another revamp that hit NASCAR and the Daytona 500 was during the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 race, when 'Cars of Tomorrow' debuted for the first time in the stock car racing circuit. While the name might throw some people off, 'Cars of Tomorrow' simply entailed that the same roll cage, frame and body would be used in all kinds of race tracks as opposed to how crew members would need to build different cars for different tracks like superspeedways, road courses and short tracks.

The Daytona 500, being such a grand event, has often been associated with high-profile names. In a bid to make the event even more exciting, every year, the organizers bring in popular figures to serve as a Grand Marshal. While 'Captain America' famed Chris Evans graced the event in 2014, Nicholas cage stopped by in 2007. Even former US presidents Donald Trump and George W Busch served as the event's grand marshal in 2020 and 2004, respectively.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Â Qualifying Format of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter.

In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ <em>"the duels".Â </em>The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The Black Sunday of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 was perhaps one of <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dale-earnhardt/">Dale Earnhardt</a>'s greatest achievements. After chasing an elusive win at the track for about two decades of his career, the driver finally succeeded in finish P1 in 1998. However, just three years later, the same race would claim his life. It all happened on February 18, 2001, when the driver was competing in the final lap of the race. <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-nerve-wracking-crashes-that-changed-nascar-forever-edition-five-dale-earnhardt/">The driver slammed head-first into the retaining wall</a> after contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. The driver had suffered from a basilar skull fracture and had died instantly upon contact. Earnardt's death triggered a wave of safety improvements in stock cars and are seen even today.

[caption id="attachment_2105958" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-2105958 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1029986512h-e1699811493626.jpg" alt="Dale Earnhardt Sr" width="1920" height="1080" /> US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Unknown date Daytona Beach, FL, USA: FILE PHOTO NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr 3 waits in his car in the garage area at the Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Florida UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xUSAxTODAYxSportsx 5145564<br />Image Credits - Imago[/caption]

&nbsp;
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The changes of the name of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 has seen a plethora of name changes till date. While the first-ever edition of the race was called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona, the name was changed the very next year to the Inaugural 500 Mile International Sweepstakes. The race, then, went on to be known as the Daytona 500 by STP from 1991 to 1993. On the year of Dale Earnhardt's passing in 2001, it was known as the Daytona 500 by Dodge. In 2007, a new name was coined yet again and this time, the race was called Daytona 500 by Toyota. From 1961 to 1990, 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2006, the race was called Daytona 500 and since 2008, that's the very name that has stuck around.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Daytona 500

What is the Daytona 500? For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial &#8220;birthplace of speed&#8221;, Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races. Daytona International Speedway plays host to the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series for the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, FL, USA. Daytona Beach United States of America &#8211; ZUMAc04_ 20230219_zaf_c04_386 Copyright: xWalterxGxArcexSrxActionxSportsxPx Origins of the Daytona 500 While many stories about the origin of Daytona races date back to 1903 when two men challenged each other to a race to decide whose horseless carriage was the fastest, the sturdy stock car race at the iconic location came into being in 1959, courtesy of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. And on February 22, in front of 41,000 people, the revered race planted its seed to mega-stardom. The inaugural race was the only instance when both hard top and convertible vehicles were allowed to race. Since then, the Daytona 500 has been much-awaited by stock car racing fans every year. And while the Daytona Beach, Florida location is already iconic, the track that hosts the Daytona 500 race is just as well-thought out and executed. Wanting to give fans an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Bill Frances Sr brainstormed alongside engineers to create a track that would have the highest banking, allowing cars to reach topmost speed. And soon the prospect presented itself in the form of a tri-oval with 31 degrees banking at turns and 18 degrees at the start/finish lines. With 2.5 mile in length, today, the race lasts 500 miles/200 laps. The first-ever Daytona 500, called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona back then, saw 59 cars competing.Â The winning purse of the inaugural race had a steep value of $53, 050, out of which Lee Petty took home $19,050 for his victory while the runner-up Beauchamp secured $7,650. Why is the Daytona 500 called â€˜The Great American Raceâ€™ As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR&#8217;s crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven&#8217;t been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl. The Daytona 500 has also been synonymous with the President&#8217;s Day weekend in every NASCAR fan&#8217;s heart. From 1968 to 2011, the race was held on President&#8217;s Day weekend every year. However, NASCAR decided to change that in 2012 with news of an NFL schedule revamp doing the rounds. As per reports, NFL was planning to expand its 18-game regular season and as per the new roster, the Super Bowl was to be held on the same day as the Daytona 500. Sensing a dent on viewership numbers, the stock car racing organization move the race. However, as the NFL season-expansion plans failed to reach fruition, the Daytona 500 was moved to its original calendar spot. Now, that&#8217;s definitely a win-win! While the winning purse of the Daytona 500 is already a stuff of legends, sitting atop with the largest return, the trophy being awarded to the victors isn&#8217;t any less prized either. Called the Harley J Earl trophy, the prize has been named after legendary automobile designer, Harley Earl, who was also a close friend of Bill France Sr and a General Motors executive back in the day. Earl is most significantly known for being the Father of the Corvette. He has also been credited for designing the Firebird I prototype. The Daytona 500 race is full of prestige and perks for sure. One other aspect that the race victor gets to experience is their car being showcased at the Daytona 500 experience, for one year in its race-winning condition. For the uninitiated, the Daytona 500 Experience is a museum and gallery situated next to the Daytona International Speedway. Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme &#8211; (ZUMAse4) Highlights of the Daytona 500 The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty&#8217;s father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions. &nbsp; Lee Petty&#8217;s son isn&#8217;t much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981. While the initial years of the Daytona 500 didn&#8217;t see much vehicle policing, it soon became apparent that certain rules and restrictions would have to be put in place. One of the biggest instances of a change came in 1988 when former stock car racing driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison&#8217;s car went airborne and hit the catch fence at 200 mph at Talladega in May, the previous year. As a result, restrictor plates were made mandatory in hopes that they would stunt speed, which in turn would stop vehicles from going airborne. Speaking of Bobby Allison, he also became the oldest driver to win the race at 50 years, 2 months and 11 days, in 1988. On the other hand, Trevor Bayne is the youngest Daytona 500 winner. Bayne was 20 years and 1 day old when he won the event in 2011. Another revamp that hit NASCAR and the Daytona 500 was during the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 race, when &#8216;Cars of Tomorrow&#8217; debuted for the first time in the stock car racing circuit. While the name might throw some people off, &#8216;Cars of Tomorrow&#8217; simply entailed that the same roll cage, frame and body would be used in all kinds of race tracks as opposed to how crew members would need to build different cars for different tracks like superspeedways, road courses and short tracks. The Daytona 500, being such a grand event, has often been associated with high-profile names. In a bid to make the event even more exciting, every year, the organizers bring in popular figures to serve as a Grand Marshal. While &#8216;Captain America&#8217; famed Chris Evans graced the event in 2014, Nicholas cage stopped by in 2007. Even former US presidents Donald Trump and George W Busch served as the event&#8217;s grand marshal in 2020 and 2004, respectively. Â Qualifying Format of the Daytona 500 Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter. In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ &#8220;the duels&#8221;.Â The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels. The Black Sunday of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 was perhaps one of Dale Earnhardt&#8216;s greatest achievements. After chasing an elusive win at the track for about two decades of his career, the driver finally succeeded in finish P1 in 1998. However, just three years later, the same race would claim his life. It all happened on February 18, 2001, when the driver was competing in the final lap of the race. The driver slammed head-first into the retaining wall after contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. The driver had suffered from a basilar skull fracture and had died instantly upon contact. Earnardt&#8217;s death triggered a wave of safety improvements in stock cars and are seen even today. US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Unknown date Daytona Beach, FL, USA: FILE PHOTO NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr 3 waits in his car in the garage area at the Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Florida UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xUSAxTODAYxSportsx 5145564Image Credits &#8211; Imago &nbsp; The changes of the name of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 has seen a plethora of name changes till date. While the first-ever edition of the race was called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona, the name was changed the very next year to the Inaugural 500 Mile International Sweepstakes. The race, then, went on to be known as the Daytona 500 by STP from 1991 to 1993. On the year of Dale Earnhardt&#8217;s passing in 2001, it was known as the Daytona 500 by Dodge. In 2007, a new name was coined yet again and this time, the race was called Daytona 500 by Toyota. From 1961 to 1990, 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2006, the race was called Daytona 500 and since 2008, that&#8217;s the very name that has stuck around. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>The Daytona 500 2024</b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial "birthplace of speed", Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Why is the Daytona 500 called the Great American Race?</strong></h2>
As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR's crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven't been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl.

The race is also called the 'The Great American Race' and given the storied history of the Daytona International Speedway and its roots in racing, the moniker is surely a well-deserved one.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>When is the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
The 2024 Daytona 500 is set to be held on <strong>February 18, Sunday</strong> at<strong> 7:30pm GMT/2:30pm ET</strong>.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the format of the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ <em>"the duels".Â </em>The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels.

[caption id="attachment_1948603" align="alignnone" width="1800"]<img class="wp-image-1948603 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0004296892h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1800" height="1200" /> Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme - (ZUMAse4)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Who are the past winners of the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty's father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions.

Lee Petty's son isn't much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981.

[caption id="attachment_859313" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-859313 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1018179224.jpg" alt="Richard Petty" width="1920" height="1280" /> BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 17: Team owner, Richard Petty, stands on pit road during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)[/caption]

Following 'The King' on the most-wins tally is Carl Yarborough with four wins in 1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984. The current vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon also won the Daytona 500 three times in 1997, 1999 and 2005. The Pied Piper of Daytona, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dale-earnhardt-jr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dale Earnhardt Jr</a> and seven-time Cup Series Champion <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/jimmie-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jimmie Johnson</a> won the race on two occasions in 2004 and 2014, and 2006 and 2013, respectively.

Among the current batch of drivers, the one who clinched the most victory lane visits is <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/denny-hamlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denny Hamlin</a> with three wins, two of which were back-to-back (2016, 2019 and 2020). However, many talented drivers are yet to get their hands on the elusive title that includes two-time Cup Series champions <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyle-busch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Busch</a> and <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyle-larson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Larson</a>.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the eligibility of the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The entry list for the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
The four non-charter teams that have announced their participation in the Daytona 500 2024 are:
<ul>
 	<li><span class="LinkEnhancement">David Ragan - </span>No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing</li>
 	<li>Anthony Alfredo - No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports</li>
 	<li>Jimmie Johnson - the No. 84 Toyota Camry for Legacy Motor Club</li>
 	<li>BJ McLeod - No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports</li>
</ul>
The charter teams that will participate in the Daytona 500 2024 are:
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 53.0357%;height: 944px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px">
<h3>Owner-Manufacturer</h3>
</td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px">
<h3 style="text-align: center">Driver-Car Number</h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 144px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 144px;text-align: center"><strong>Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 144px;text-align: center">No. 5 - Kyle Larson<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 9 - Chase Elliott<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 24 - William Byron<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 48 - Alex Bowman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 96px;text-align: center"><strong>Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 96px;text-align: center">No. 11 - Denny Hamlin<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 19 - Martin Truex Jr.<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 20 - Christopher Bell<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 54 - Ty Gibbs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 96px;text-align: center"><strong>Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 96px;text-align: center">No. 4 - Josh Berry (R)<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 10 - Noah Gragson<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 14 - Chase Briscoe<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 41 - Ryan Preece</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 72px;text-align: center"><strong>Team Penske, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 72px;text-align: center">No. 2 - Austin Cindric<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 12 - Ryan Blaney<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 22 - Joey Logano</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 3 - Austin Dillon<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 8 - Kyle Busch</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 16 - A.J. Allmendinger<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 31 - Daniel Hemric</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Legacy Motor Club, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 42 - John Hunter Nemechek<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 43 - Erik Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>RFK Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 6 - Brad Keselowski<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 17 - Chris Buescher</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 1 - Ross Chastain<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 99 - Daniel Suarez</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>23XI Racing, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 23 - Bubba Wallace<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 45 - Tyler Reddick</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 72px;text-align: center"><strong>Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 72px;text-align: center">No. 7 - Corey LaJoie<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 71 - Zane Smith<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 77 - Carson Hocevar (R)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 56px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 56px;text-align: center"><strong>Front Row Motorsports, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 56px;text-align: center">No. 34 - Michael McDowell<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 38 - Todd Gilliland</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center"><strong>JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px;text-align: center">No. 47 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Rick Ware Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 15 - Riley Herbst<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 51 - Justin Haley</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center"><strong>Wood Brothers Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px;text-align: center">No. 21 - Harrison Burton</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The Grand Marshall and the Pre-race show at the Daytona 500, 2024</strong></h2>
The 2024 Daytona 500 will be a star-studded affair. This year, Hollywood actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is set to perform the duties of the Grand Marshal.

As for the pre-race show, Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Pitbull will light up the stage before the iconic race commences.<em> â€œItâ€™s an honor to once again be part of the Great American Race, this time performing at the Daytona 500,â€</em> Pitbull had said after the announcement was made.

[caption id="attachment_516696" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-516696 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210116150513/GettyImages-1211216417.jpg" alt="Pitbull prior to the NASCAR Daytona 500" width="1920" height="1280" /> AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Rapper Pitbull performs prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Tickets for the Daytona 500 2024</strong></h2>
For the first time in recent history, the tickets for the Daytona 500 race have been sold out. However, fans can still get a chance to witness the coveted race in person by buying reserved grandstands seats at the event's official ticketing partner, seatgeek.com. People looking for budget-friendly options have various alternatives, with the lowest being Â $139 each for 1-4 tickets. For premium VIP packages, ticket prices range from $506 to $706 for 1-6 tickets. An important point to note is that the VIP packages will be inclusive of $25 food/beverage credit included with each ticket, FanZone passes featuring pre-race access to the track, and one Daytona 500 gift bundle per ticket holder.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Broadcasting of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 race will be broadcast live on Fox and the FOX Sports App. Users who do not have a cable connection can also watch the race on live streaming platforms that include FOX, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+, fuboTV and Sling TV.

The Daytona 500 2024 What is the Daytona 500? For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial &#8220;birthplace of speed&#8221;, Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races. Why is the Daytona 500 called the Great American Race? As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR&#8217;s crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven&#8217;t been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl. The race is also called the &#8216;The Great American Race&#8217; and given the storied history of the Daytona International Speedway and its roots in racing, the moniker is surely a well-deserved one. When is the Daytona 500 2024? The 2024 Daytona 500 is set to be held on February 18, Sunday at 7:30pm GMT/2:30pm ET. What is the format of the Daytona 500? In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ &#8220;the duels&#8221;.Â The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels. Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme &#8211; (ZUMAse4) Who are the past winners of the Daytona 500? The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty&#8217;s father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions. Lee Petty&#8217;s son isn&#8217;t much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981. BRISTOL, TN &#8211; AUGUST 17: Team owner, Richard Petty, stands on pit road during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Following &#8216;The King&#8217; on the most-wins tally is Carl Yarborough with four wins in 1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984. The current vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon also won the Daytona 500 three times in 1997, 1999 and 2005. The Pied Piper of Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr and seven-time Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson won the race on two occasions in 2004 and 2014, and 2006 and 2013, respectively. Among the current batch of drivers, the one who clinched the most victory lane visits is Denny Hamlin with three wins, two of which were back-to-back (2016, 2019 and 2020). However, many talented drivers are yet to get their hands on the elusive title that includes two-time Cup Series champions Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson. What is the eligibility of the Daytona 500 2024? Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter. The entry list for the Daytona 500 2024? The four non-charter teams that have announced their participation in the Daytona 500 2024 are: David Ragan &#8211; No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing Anthony Alfredo &#8211; No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports Jimmie Johnson &#8211; the No. 84 Toyota Camry for Legacy Motor Club BJ McLeod &#8211; No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports The charter teams that will participate in the Daytona 500 2024 are:   Owner-Manufacturer  Driver-Car Number  Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet No. 5 &#8211; Kyle LarsonNo. 9 &#8211; Chase ElliottNo. 24 &#8211; William ByronNo. 48 &#8211; Alex Bowman  Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota No. 11 &#8211; Denny HamlinNo. 19 &#8211; Martin Truex Jr.No. 20 &#8211; Christopher BellNo. 54 &#8211; Ty Gibbs  Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford No. 4 &#8211; Josh Berry (R)No. 10 &#8211; Noah GragsonNo. 14 &#8211; Chase BriscoeNo. 41 &#8211; Ryan Preece  Team Penske, Ford No. 2 &#8211; Austin CindricNo. 12 &#8211; Ryan BlaneyNo. 22 &#8211; Joey Logano  Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet No. 3 &#8211; Austin DillonNo. 8 &#8211; Kyle Busch  Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet No. 16 &#8211; A.J. AllmendingerNo. 31 &#8211; Daniel Hemric  Legacy Motor Club, Toyota No. 42 &#8211; John Hunter NemechekNo. 43 &#8211; Erik Jones  RFK Racing, Ford No. 6 &#8211; Brad KeselowskiNo. 17 &#8211; Chris Buescher  Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet No. 1 &#8211; Ross ChastainNo. 99 &#8211; Daniel Suarez  23XI Racing, Toyota No. 23 &#8211; Bubba WallaceNo. 45 &#8211; Tyler Reddick  Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet No. 7 &#8211; Corey LaJoieNo. 71 &#8211; Zane SmithNo. 77 &#8211; Carson Hocevar (R)  Front Row Motorsports, Ford No. 34 &#8211; Michael McDowellNo. 38 &#8211; Todd Gilliland  JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet No. 47 &#8211; Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Rick Ware Racing, Ford No. 15 &#8211; Riley HerbstNo. 51 &#8211; Justin Haley  Wood Brothers Racing, Ford No. 21 &#8211; Harrison Burton  The Grand Marshall and the Pre-race show at the Daytona 500, 2024 The 2024 Daytona 500 will be a star-studded affair. This year, Hollywood actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne &#8216;The Rock&#8217; Johnson is set to perform the duties of the Grand Marshal. As for the pre-race show, Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Pitbull will light up the stage before the iconic race commences. â€œItâ€™s an honor to once again be part of the Great American Race, this time performing at the Daytona 500,â€ Pitbull had said after the announcement was made. AVONDALE, ARIZONA &#8211; MARCH 08: Rapper Pitbull performs prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Tickets for the Daytona 500 2024 For the first time in recent history, the tickets for the Daytona 500 race have been sold out. However, fans can still get a chance to witness the coveted race in person by buying reserved grandstands seats at the event&#8217;s official ticketing partner, seatgeek.com. People looking for budget-friendly options have various alternatives, with the lowest being Â $139 each for 1-4 tickets. For premium VIP packages, ticket prices range from $506 to $706 for 1-6 tickets. An important point to note is that the VIP packages will be inclusive of $25 food/beverage credit included with each ticket, FanZone passes featuring pre-race access to the track, and one Daytona 500 gift bundle per ticket holder. Broadcasting of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 race will be broadcast live on Fox and the FOX Sports App. Users who do not have a cable connection can also watch the race on live streaming platforms that include FOX, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+, fuboTV and Sling TV.

Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin Net Worth 2024, Family, Controversies, and More Denny Hamlin is a stock car racing driver and team owner who has been competing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing since 2005.Â His first-ever race was at the Kansas Speedway, where he finished P32. The driver has amassed 51 wins in NASCAR&#8217;s top faction so far. One of his most notable achievements has been three Daytona 500 wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Hamlin was also named as one of NASCAR&#8217;s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Besides his racing stint, he has also been the team owner of Cup Series team 23XI Racing since 2020, alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s family Denny Hamlin was born to Dennis Hamlin and Mary Lou Clark on November 18, 1980, at the St. Joseph&#8217;s Women&#8217;s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He has two older siblings, Kevin and Lisa Hamlin.Â The family decided to move to Virginia when he was only 2 years old. He was educated at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The family might not have been the most financially stable one, but Denny&#8217;s parents&#8217; struggles to get him going in motorsports have definitely paid dividends. At the age of seven, Denny Hamlin made his go-kart debut and went on to win his first race. Before Joe Gibbs Racing took notice of him in 2004, he made rapid progress at the local tracks in Richmond, Virginia, dominating the Late Model Stock Cars, Grand Stocks, and Mini Stocks. He was signed to a driver development contract by JGR in 2004, and he took part in five Truck Series races that year before appearing in the Cup as a part-time driver in 2005. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s wife and children The motorsports veteran has two daughters, Taylor James Hamlin (born January 20, 2013), and Molly Gold Hamlin (born August 15, 2017), with Jordan Fish. Denny and Jordan are not married, and over the years, they have shared a rather complex relationship. While the couple had broken up in 2021, there were rumors of reconciliation doing the rounds. The two were spotted together at the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet, and Hamlin even spent Jordan Fish&#8217;s birthday with her in 2023. The couple got engaged on January 1, 2024, after Denny Hamlin went down on one knee. 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Motorsport USA Cup Series Awards &#8211; Las Vegas Denny Hamlin, Jordan Fish arriving for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards held at the Wynn Hotrel &amp; Casino, Las Vegas, November 29, 2018 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAJMx 39974306 | Credits: Imago Denny Hamlin&#8217;s net worth 2024 As he is one of the veterans in the Cup Series today driving for one of the biggest teams, Denny Hamlin is one of the highest-paid drivers in the competition today. He also makes a fair sum from being a co-owner of 23XI Racing and through his sponsorships. From his on-track and off-track successes, Hamlin has managed to build a net worth of approximately $65 million. Denny Hamlin has had FedEx as his primary sponsor since he started racing in the Cup Series. Joe Gibbs Racing was also able to bring in the big names like Coca-Cola and Mavis Tyres &amp; Brakes. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s career timeline NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Before Denny Hamlin made his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series, he was a regular face in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Making his debut at the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2004 for EJP Racing, the driver managed to finish P10. He competed in four more Truck Series races that same year but failed to clinch a Top-10. Hamlin ultimately finished the season with 582 points, ranked 37th. After skipping the promotion in 2005, he returned the following year with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports and competed in a single race at Martinsville Speedway where he finished P8. That was his only race with the team. Over the next four years, Hamlin continued participating in single races each season for Billy Ballew Motorsports. His highest finish with the team came in 2008 when he clinched P3 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. However, the highest finish of his Truck Series career would not come until 2011 when he clinched a victory at the United Rentals 200 at the Martinsville Speedway, for Kyle Busch Motorsports, a race which Hamlin won again the next year. After spending three seasons with KBM, the driver&#8217;s last Truck race came in 2013 when he competed in the 2013 Kroger 200 at Martinsville, finishing P6. Sep 26, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) driver Kyle Larson (5) and driver Kyle Busch (18) race for position during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports ARCA Menards Series Denny Hamlin had a short stint at the ARCA Menards Series where he ran only one race each in 2004 and 2005. In his first year at ARCA, Hamlin was seen piloting the #10 Pontiac for Fast Track Racing Enterprises, at the General Tire 200 race at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished third. However, 2005 didn&#8217;t prove to be a good year for him as the driver finished P36, driving a #2 Pontiac at the Nashville ARCA 150 at the Nashville Superspeedway for Joe Gibbs Racing. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s journey to the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup SeriesÂ  It&#8217;s like Denny Hamlin was announcing his arrival to the world in 2004 when he decided to compete in different promotions across the roster. Besides his Truck and Arca debut in 2004, the driver also participated in his first-ever Xfinity Series race for Joe Gibbs Racing that same year at the Darlington Raceway, finishing eighth. In an Xfinity career spanning 19 years, Hamlin has participated in 163 races and clinched a victory on 18 occasions. The driver also flaunts 101 Top-10 finishes in the promotion. However, Hamlin&#8217;s ultimate calling came in 2005 when he debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. The driver has remained with the team for the entirety of his Cup career driving the #11. Revealing how the team became a stepping-stone for his illustrious career, Hamlin, in 2017, revealed Joe Gibbs&#8217; son J.D. Gibbs was the one who gave him his first opportunity at JGR. In an X(formerly Twitter) video, Denny Hamlin explained, &#8220;He&#8217;s the one who actually gave me my first opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing. We went to a test at Hickory Motor Speedway, called his dad up, they signed me about 13 years ago.&#8221;Â  The driver has participated in 650 races in the Cup Series till date, where he has clinched 51 wins and 340 Top-10 positions. Apart from that, the driver also flaunts 40 pole positions. Denny Hamlinâ€™s Partnerships and Endorsements Denny Hamlin has had a plethora of sponsorships over the years. Among the most notable is his long-standing relationship with FedEx which dates back to 2005 when he made his Cup Series debut. The conglomerate has served as the primary sponsor for the driver for over 30 races every year. However, in recent times, that number has come down significantly. The driver has also had a sponsorship with Coca-Cola and sported the brand on his car for the first time at the 2022 Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hamlin&#8217;s other sponsors include Yahoo!, Shingrix, and Mavis Tyres &amp; Brakes, among others. HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA &#8211; OCTOBER 23: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Denny Hamlinâ€™s investments Denny Hamlin is not just a full-time driver in the Cup Series. He is the co-owner of 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan. Jordan and Hamlin announced on September 21, 2020, that they would be forming a Cup team to start competing in 2021, with Jordan holding the majority ownership. The team currently fields two full-time drivers, Bubba Wallace in the #23 and Tyler Reddick in the #45. Bubba Wallace was the first driver they signed after buying a guaranteed starting spot in every 2021 race after purchasing a charter from Germain Racing. Hamlin and Wallace are two of the most outspoken individuals in the Cup Series, and even the people they work closely with aren&#8217;t afraid to speak up, making it a feisty combo. As a team owner, Hamlin is a fan of NASCAR&#8217;s charter system as he believes it to be a lifeline for owners. The team was later expanded to two drivers, and Tyler Reddick joined in. The name, 23XI, is an amalgamation of Jordan&#8217;s most-used jersey number (23) and the JGR car number which Hamlin drives (11). The team has a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. Denny Hamlinâ€™s NASCAR career stats Ever since Denny Hamlin&#8217;s debut in NASCAR in 2004, the driver has been a regular face in the circuit for around 18 years. While Hamlin started his Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series career in 2004, he was seen in a Cup race for the first time in 2005. Over his illustrious career, Denny Hamlin has participated in a staggering 650 races in the NASCAR Cup Series as of August 30, 2023. He has been to clinch victory on 51 occasions and also featured 340 times in the Top-10. Apart from that, Hamlin has also secured 40 pole positions during that time. As for his Xfinity series career, the driver has had 163 race features as of August 30, 2023. Emerging victorious in 18 races, Hamlin has been able to secure a pole position in 21 races with 101 Top-10s. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s Truck series career has been his least elaborate one among the Top 3 NASCAR promotions. The driver has participated in only 16 races over 9 years. With two wins and 10 Top-10s, the driver has secured a pole position only once. Â Denny Hamlin records With a career spanning almost two decades, Denny Hamlin has successfully proven his dominance in the sport. With 51 all-time wins as of December 2023, the driver sits at a comfortable 13th position just behind the Petty family patriarch, Lee Petty on the All-Time NASCAR Cup Series Wins List. Apart from that, the #11 JGR driver has taken a victory lap in the Daytona 500 race thrice in his career with two of those wins in successive years. Beating the likes of Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, Hamlin&#8217;s first Daytona 500 win came in 2016. Subsequently, the driver went on to win the crown jewel race again in 2019 and 2020. However, those are not Denny Hamlin&#8217;s only crown-jewel race victories. The driver emerged victorious in the Cook Out Southern 500 race held at the iconic Darlington Raceway in 2010, 2017, and 2021. Apart from that, he also won the Coca-Cola 600 race in 2022, his first and only victory in the revered event. However, Hamlin has yet to secure his maiden Brickyard 400 victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Denny Hamlin&#8217;s major achievements and awards Denny Hamlin, undoubtedly, forms the crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me of stock car racing today. The veteran has several accolades to show for it as well. However, one of his most significant achievements came in 2023 when he was added to the list of NASCAR&#8217;s 75 Greatest Drivers list. Making his place among icons like Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon, Hamlin has almost reached the pinnacle of his stock car racing career. Denny Hamlin also won the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Rookie of the Year award in 2006. With 330 points and two race wins, he beat Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr who were second and third on the list with 271 and 243 points respectively. Also in the running that year were Reed Sorenson, JJ Yeley, and David Stremme, who secured 222, 213, and 192 points respectively. Denny Hamlin and his controversial &#8216;Family Guy&#8217; tweet Hamlin has often been surrounded with controversy but there have been moments when he has taken things a tad too far. One such moment was when he posted a Family Guy meme about Kyle Larson that was cause for outrage among a lot of people. The JGR man tweeted it after Larson&#8217;s ambitious move at Talladega in the 2022 Cup Series went wrong and he ended up wrecking. The video Hamlin posted was of an offensive Asian stereotype and given Kyle Larson was half-Japanese, very few people found it funny. Denny Hamlin eventually took down the tweet after a lot of backlash and apologized for his actions on social media.Â &#8220;I took down a post I made earlier today after reading some of the comments. It was a poor choice of memes and I saw how it was offensive. It came across totally wrong. I apologize,&#8221;Â he wrote. However, NASCAR still decided to send him to sensitivity training as a result. Denny Hamlin and his relationship with Kyle Busch Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin might have been teammates but the two were never really fond of one another. Both drivers were aggressive and outspoken and that often turned out to be a recipe for disaster. When they were at Joe Gibbs Racing, the two raced each other on track on multiple occasions and things did not always end up well. As Rowdy made the jump to Richard Childress Racing, neither of them had to pretend to be nice to the other in public since they weren&#8217;t teammates anymore. Early on in the 2023 season, Kyle Busch said that there was a lack of respect among drivers in the NASCAR garage, something that wasn&#8217;t the case back in the day. He did not take any names but the whole conversation was in light of Denny Hamlin intentionally wrecking Ross Chastain in the first Phoenix race of the year.Â &#8220;We have completely lost any sense of respect in the garage between the drivers at all. Thatâ€™s where the problem lies. Nobody gives two ***** about anybody else. Itâ€™s just a problem where everybody takes advantage of everybody as much as they can. Weâ€™re all selfish, granted. But there was an etiquette that once did live here,&#8221;Â he said. Kyle Busch did not leave Joe Gibbs Racing on the best of terms and while some may speculate that Denny Hamlin may have one of the reasons, there were a lot more pressing matters. Money and performance were certainly a lot higher on that list than a teammate. Feb 20, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) drafts with driver Kyle Busch (18) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports Denny Hamlin embraces his â€œvillainâ€ crown Denny Hamlin has been branded as the new villain of NASCAR and he has embraced that title with open arms. One of the people who he had some beef with in the 2023 season is Kyle Larson. The two raced hard in the final lap of the first Kansas race of the season for the lead. With just one turn remaining, Hamlin made slight contact with Larson which nudged him into the wall. Thankfully, the HMS man was able to maintain his composure but Hamlin had passed him for the lead by then and he won the race. The two drivers had a tense moment in Pocono, however. When the race restarted with less than 10 laps remaining. The two were battling for the lead and Hamlin pushed Larson up the track and into the wall. After the race, the HMS driver expressed his dissatisfaction with his JGR counterpart with a seething tirade. â€œIâ€™ve been cost a lot of good finishes by him throughout my career, and I know he says I race a certain way, but I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve ever had to apologize to him about anything. So, not that Iâ€™m sure heâ€™s going to say sorry after this, but it is what it is,&#8221;Â he said. Turns out the HMS man was frustrated with both his racing and how Hamlin is on the Actions Detrimental podcast. Being booed everywhere he goes and branded as NASCAR&#8217;s villain may be unnerving to some people but Denny Hamlin has embraced the dark side.Â â€œI think there was a time to uh reel that back in but I just think that thereâ€™s no going back at this point,&#8221;Â he had said about the matter. Denny Hamlinâ€™s plans for retirement Denny Hamlin is 43-years-old in 2023. A lot of people may suggest retirement is on the horizon for the JGR man but given Hamlin&#8217;s attitude, he has shown zero signs of even thinking about hanging up his boots. The #11 driver signed a multi-year deal with Joe Gibbs which will start from the 2024 season. It is safe to say that NASCAR&#8217;s villain is here to stay for a few more years. After all, the hunger for winning the Cup Series is yet to be satisfied. Denny Hamlin Social Media  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DennyHamlin/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dennyhamlin/  Twitter https://twitter.com/dennyhamlin  Personal Information  Name Denny Hamlin  Born November 18, 1980  Place of birth Tampa, Florida  Nationality American  Education Manchester High School  Parents Dennis Hamlin, Mary Lou Clark  Height 6 ft  Weight 154 lb  Partner Jordan Fish  Kids Taylor James Hamlin, Molly Gold Hamlin  &nbsp; &nbsp;

Denny Hamlin Opens Up on His Chances of a Daytona 500 Hat-Trick

What else did Denny Hamlin say?