Denny Hamlin Surprisingly Shatters NASCAR’s Next-Gen Era Record Amidst Hopes of a Fourth Daytona 500 Sweep

Denny Hamlin has pretty much done it all, short of clinching the championship title. He’s set the record for the most Cup Series wins by a driver who’s yet to be crowned champion and was the first to take pole position at the groundbreaking Chicago Street race. Now, the driver who’s often cast as NASCAR’s ‘bad boy’ has gone and shattered yet another record in the next-gen car, all while eyeing his fourth victory lap at the Daytona 500.

Denny Hamlin: The undisputed champ of the Daytona 500 practice runs

In Friday’s Cup Series practice session at the Daytona International Speedway, Hamlin blazed through the track, clocking in at a scorching 197.477 mph, leaving the competition in his dust. Hot on his heels were Erik Jones and Christopher Bell, along with Ty Gibbs and John Hunter Nemechek, who all made impressive showings but couldn’t quite catch Hamlin.

What’s more, Denny Hamlin didn’t just lead the pack; he also set a new speed record for the NextGen car during the practice, eclipsing the previous record held by Todd Gilliland from last fall at Talladega. The practice session was the drivers’ first shot at the track before the big race on Sunday, giving them a brief 50 minutes to strut their stuff on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. And Anthony Alfredo was the only driver who sat this dance out.

The Toyotas were in fine form, locking down the top eight positions, with Michael McDowell and Austin Dillon leading the charge for Ford and Chevrolet, respectively, but trailing behind the pack. When it comes to the Daytona 500, few know the track like Denny Hamlin. With three wins under his belt, he’s eyeing a fourth to join the ranks of NASCAR legends like Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, and Bobby Allison and inch closer to the record holders, Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty.

Watch This Story: Denny Hamlin Reveals Heartwarming Reason Behind Keeping The Winning Checkered Flag

Denny Hamlin’s not just aiming for another win; he’s looking to carve his name into the top-10 Daytona victors. Despite his formidable track record, he’s candid about the challenges and pressures that come with racing, a transparency that’s earned him the moniker of NASCAR’s ‘villain’. Yet, it’s clear he’s got a strategy all his own for facing down those race-day demons.

What does the JGR star do when he feels vulnerable?

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Denny Hamlin, with a trophy cabinet boasting 51 wins, is as well-known for his bold and outspoken demeanor on the track as he is for the chorus of boos that often follows him. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m playing basketball, pickleball, or whatever; if I can’t talk sh*t, then I just feel mortal,” Denny Hamlin shared with TIME during a call just before the 66th Daytona 500.

“I feel vulnerable. So I use it to help get into the other competitors’ heads and make them believe I am the best and you’re not going to beat me. It’s my superpower. I do believe I have humility in certain situations. I just do not want to let anyone see that humility.”

Read More: “Vulnerable” Denny Hamlin Lets Slip Harsh NASCAR Reality Behind His Talking “Sh*t” Persona

As the engines rev up for the Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin’s eyes are firmly set on not just crossing the finish line first for the fourth time but also clinching that elusive championship title this season.