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via Getty

via Getty

Denny Hamlin may be the championship leader in 2021, but he is yet to win a race. He has come close on many occasions, but still no cigar for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. However, it is worth mentioning that the 40-year-old driver has accumulated 771 laps as the race leader.

The only driver who is ahead of him is title rival Kyle Larson, who has nearly double his tally. On the bright side, he is ahead of Martin Truex Jr, who has accumulated 671 lead laps. Additionally, he is miles ahead of the next man, Joey Logano, who has amassed 361 lead laps.

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Of course, the main statistic that counts is the race wins, which is sorely lacking for the #11 driver. It isn’t for the lack of trying though, as he has been in the top five on multiple occasions. In the first nine races, he never finished lower than fifth, which was at the season-opening Daytona 500.

Denny Hamlin will be more focused on winning the title

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All through the years, Hamlin has been the bridesmaid in the championship standings. In his maiden full season in 2006, he finished third.

The closest he came to winning the NASCAR Cup Series title was in 2010, when he finished as the runner-up to Jimmie Johnson. Since then, he has only finished outside the Top 10 on two occasions.

USA Today via Reuters

Last year was one of his best years, as he rivaled Kevin Harvick on the win counter. Unfortunately, his current season is a far cry from that, as he is yet to reach Victory Lane. While he is somehow still leading the championship, he still has four races left to finally make his mark and win. Whether he wins or not, he has definitely qualified for the Playoffs,.

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READ MORE: “We’re Still Progressing” – Denny Hamlin on the Possibility of Fielding a Second 23XI Car