“This is the best.” It was Denny Hamlin’s true emotions when he won his maiden Daytona 500 in 2016. His victory placed him among those who have been phenomenal at ‘The Great American Race’. The 44-year-old racing legend has been phenomenal in his 19-year-long NASCAR career. With more than 50 Cup victories, including three at the Daytona 500, Hamlin has etched his name in the annals of NASCAR. However, his hunger is still alive, especially for the coveted Cup Series Championship. As the 2025, Daytona 500 approaches a gem from his childhood, reveals just how deep Denny Hamlin’s dream of Daytona success runs.

Long before the accolades and victories, Hamlin envisioned himself triumphing on NASCAR’s biggest stage. Little did anyone know that a letter he wrote at just seven years old would capture this dream with remarkable precision. As the Great American Race approaches, the letter has gone viral on social media.

Dream come true for Denny Hamlin

On 21st, February 2016, Denny Hamlin delivered one of his best racing performances. At Daytona International Speedway, Hamlin battled out with his teammates to win the prestigious race by a mere 0.010 seconds. Driving the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry Hamlin won his maiden Daytona 500 and fulfilled his childhood dreams.

Moments after his victory, Hamlin’s mother took to the social media platforms to share Hamlin’s childhood letter. In elementary school, seven-year-old Denny Hamlin wrote a letter that read like a blueprint for his future. Titled “The Daytona 500,” it outlined his wish to win the prestigious race. “My wish is to win the Daytona 500. If I won the Daytona 500, I would like it to come true on February 17, 1998. My car would be red, white, blue and gold. Just like Bill Elliott’s car. If I do win the Daytona 500, I could win 1,000,000 dollars. My crew chief would be Gary Barden, and my tire changer would be Ernie Elliott. The reason for all of this is because I love racing,” Hamlin wrote when he was seven in 1987.

This letter reflects how deeply Hamlin was passionate about his racing career. His idols were none other than the NASCAR Hall of Fame Bill Elliott and Ernie Elliott. Notably, the Elliott brothers dominated the late 20th century with their iconic performances. As an engine builder, Ernie has won 40 NASCAR Cup races and recorded 148 top-five finishes, 291 top-10s, and 51 poles. Meanwhile, NASCAR Hall of Fame and 16-time Most Popular Driver awardee Bill Elliott has been one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. In his 37-year-long career, Bill won more than 40 cup series races, including two Daytona 500s and three Southern 500s. His iconic victory at Winston 500 in 1985 earned him the title of “Million Dollar Bill.”

Almost three decades later, Hamlin fulfilled his dream and won the prestigious event. Although he miss-calculated the date, car details, and other things, he lived his biggest dream. Reflecting on his first Daytona 500 victory in 2016, Hamlin described the win as “the biggest race of my life.” Notably, Hamlin’s career has been nothing short of remarkable.

However, the elusive Cup championship remains a glaring omission from his resume. Despite coming close—most notably in 2010 when he finished runner-up—Hamlin has yet to capture the ultimate prize. Still, his consistency and dominance, particularly at Daytona, have solidified his reputation as one of NASCAR’s best. Between 2019 and 2020, Hamlin claimed back-to-back Daytona 500 victories, joining an elite group of drivers who have achieved this feat.

In 2024, Hamlin won three races and finished eighth in the championship standings. Despite these wins, his struggles in playoffs led to an early elimination. As Hamlin prepares for the 2025 season, his career remains a mix of triumphs and near-misses. But with changes on the horizon, this year could mark a turning point.

A year of change for Hamlin

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As much as Hamlin’s professional life garners attention, his personal life is also making headlines. This Christmas, Hamlin, and his wife, Jordan Fish, announced they are expecting their third child. The couple shared the joyous news with a heartwarming Instagram post featuring their daughters, Taylor, and Molly, holding sonogram photos.

Hamlin captioned the post with a heartfelt message. “The more, the merrier. Merry Christmas,” he wrote. The newest addition is set to arrive in June 2025, marking yet another milestone for the Hamlin family. Notably, the couple has been dating since 2009. After a brief split in 2021, they got engaged on New Year’s Eve in 2023.

Apart from personal life, Hamlin’s professional life will also witness new arrivals. Entering his 20th year with Joe Gibbs Racing Hamlin will have a new crew chief. Former crew chief for Ty Gibbs, Chris Gayle will join Hamlin’s No.11 Toyota team. He will replace Chris Gabehart, who has been promoted to Competition Director at Joe Gibbs Racing. Notably, the partnership of Gabehart and Hamlin has been phenomenal. They have won more than 20 cup races in the last six years and have been one of the most successful driver-crew chief duo of the modern era. As Denny Hamlin gears up for another Daytona 500, all eyes will be on him as he embarks on this new chapter.