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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season was another year that saw Denny Hamlin dominate throughout. He notched up seven wins, made another championship 4 appearance, and, yet again, gave rise to the talk of a maiden NASCAR Cup title. However, Hamlin could not seal the deal when it mattered most.
Many believe that Hamlin‘s time to win that elusive Cup championship is quickly running out. To add another talking point to those discussions, Hamlin turned 40 last month. He now enters the twilight of his career, in a sense.
The 44-time Cup Series race winner is aware of the importance of a championship win.
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“I think that championships I get it, it’s very, very important. It’s where I’m at the sport’s highest level. Most people gauge your success level or how good you are off of championships,” Hamlin said during a recent interaction.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Acorns Ford, Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald’s Chevrolet, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, pose for a photo with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series trophy to start the playoffs following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 08, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin remains upbeat despite a title-less run
At the same time, he is not too bogged down about the fact that he is still not a NASCAR Cup Series winner. It is also true that many consider Hamlin as one of the ‘drivers to beat’ in every race he is part of, and the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is proud to be at that stage.
“But I also know that my competitors will probably say that I’m one of the toughest competitors and toughest guys to beat. And that’s all I really care about is having the respect of them and knowing that week in and week out I can go and compete for race wins,” Hamlin continued.
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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 on February 17, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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Hamlin is happy with his progress
He was second to only Kevin Harvick for most wins in 2020 and boasts of 13 wins over the last two seasons. He is happy about where he stands. “And knowing that over the last two years, ain’t nobody won any more. I like where I’m at,” Hamlin expressed.
The 2021 season could be one of the most challenging seasons of his career. Hamlin has another big responsibility now, being a team owner for a new Cup Series team.
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His focus will certainly be on winning the title himself for Joe Gibbs Racing. At the same time, it will be interesting to see how he manages the dual role.
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