Hamlin wins again, passes Busch on all-time list
Key takeaways
- Hamlin, who at 45 is the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, last week won his 63rd race in NASCAR's top series to tie his former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate on the all-time wins list.
- He so far has put a stop to such talk despite performing at the highest level of his long career.
- "I would certainly say it's the best we've been," Hamlin said.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
LONG POND, Pa. -- Denny Hamlin, adamant he still plans to retire at the end of next season, won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway for his third consecutive victory and passed the late Kyle Busch for sole possession of ninth place on the all-time wins list.
Hamlin, who at 45 is the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, last week won his 63rd race in NASCAR's top series to tie his former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate on the all-time wins list. His eighth career victory at Pocono pushed him ahead of Busch for sole possession of ninth place.
His recent success -- it is his fourth win of the season, not including the non-points All-Star race -- has renewed talk that Hamlin should reconsider retirement when his current deal with Joe Gibbs expires at the end of 2027. He so far has put a stop to such talk despite performing at the highest level of his long career.