11 for the No. 11: A collection of Denny Hamlin’s most memorable Cup Series wins

"I can't imagine there's a win bigger for me than this one," Denny Hamlin said after Sunday's race at Las Vegas, where he notched his 60th Cup Series win. A multitude of factors -- the milestone, his family, the playoff implications -- weighed into that statement, but it also prompted some reflection on the biggest moments in his tradition of success. With a heavy nod to the diligence and research done by NASCAR historian Ken Martin, here are 11 of the top wins from the No. 11 driver.

First of many

Date: June 11, 2006

Track: Pocono Raceway

Notable: Hamlin tamed the "Tricky Triangle" for his first big-league win in his 21st Cup Series start. Hamlin won both Pocono races from the pole position that season on his way to Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Saving the streak

Date: Nov. 17, 2013

Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Notable: Hamlin missed four races in the 2013 season with a broken back, but closed out the campaign by ending a 43-race dry spell in the season finale. The win came a day before his 33rd birthday, and it was the last season-ending race before the elimination era debuted in 2014. It also extended his streak of at least one win each season to eight.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Crown jewel, by an eyelash

Date: Feb. 21, 2016

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Notable: Hamlin made all the right moves on the final lap to foil Martin Truex Jr. by 0.010 seconds at the line, claiming the closest Daytona 500 ever. He led 95 of the 200 laps in his 27th Cup Series victory.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Labor Day classic

Date: Sept. 3, 2017

Track: Darlington Raceway

Notable: Hamlin's first Southern 500 win came with a dramatic chase of Martin Truex Jr., who bowed out of the battle when a flat tire struck with three laps remaining. His throwback-design car paid tribute to fellow Virginian and Hall of Famer Ray Hendrick, sporting the flying No. 11.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Daytona, part 2

Date: Feb. 17, 2019

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Notable: Hamlin honored Joe Gibbs Racing executive and mentor J.D. Gibbs with his second Daytona 500 crown. The victory came in overtime, with Hamlin holding off teammates Kyle Busch and Erik Jones at the stripe in a 1-2-3 JGR finish.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Great American back-to-back

Date: Feb. 17, 2020

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Notable: Hamlin's third Daytona 500 title came in back-to-back fashion, something that only five drivers have achieved in Cup Series history. He narrowly topped Ryan Blaney by 0.014 seconds as a final-lap crash in overtime erupted behind them.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Two tough to tame

Date: Sept. 5, 2021

Track: Darlington Raceway

Notable: Hamlin landed his second Southern 500 victory, coming out ahead by roughly a car-length in a spirited late-race duel with Kyle Larson. The victory was his first of the '21 campaign after a rare winless regular season.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Going the distance

Date: May 29, 2022

Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Notable: Two overtimes made the Coca-Cola 600 the longest race in NASCAR history (619.5 miles, 413 laps), and Hamlin emerged on top after several contenders faded down the stretch. "It's the last big one that’s not on my résumé," Hamlin said after his first 600 win. "It meant so much."

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Beating your favorite driver

Date: Sept. 16, 2023

Track: Bristol Motor Speedway

Notable: Hamlin made a playoff statement -- and a dramatic heel turn -- by winning Bristol's annual night race for a third time. He played to the crowd after his 51st Cup victory: "I beat your favorite driver. ... All of 'em."

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Clocking in

Date: March 30, 2025

Track: Martinsville Speedway

Notable: Hamlin clinched his first Martinsville victory since 2015, securing his sixth grandfather clock trophy in his home state. The win was also his first with current No. 11 crew chief Chris Gayle.

Watch: NASCAR Classics

Milestone achievement

Date: Oct. 12, 2025

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway 

Notable: Hamlin summoned some extra oomph in the final green-flag run at Vegas, landing his 60th Cup Series win. The victory pulled him into a tie with Kevin Harvick on the circuit's all-time win list and vaulted him into the Championship 4 field.

Watch: Full race replay