Denny Hamlin eclipses Kyle Busch to create landmark Joe Gibbs Racing history

Following his victory at Michigan International Speedway, Denny Hamlin surpassed Kyle Busch to become the winningest driver at Joe Gibbs Racing. He celebrated the win by provoking the Michigan crowd with the Carmen Ohio hand signal.

Hamlin now has 57 Cup career victories, all of which have come in the #11 JGR car starting in 2006. Two years later, he became teammates with Kyle Busch, who eventually won 56 races in the #18 car before moving to Richard Childress Racing in 2023.

NASCAR Insights shared this historic milestone from the Toyota-affiliated organization on X.

“Denny Hamlin wins at Michigan, he becomes just the 10th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win with more than 700 career starts. With 57 wins, he is now the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history, breaking a tie with Kyle Busch (56 wins),” NASCAR Insights wrote.

After the race, Hamlin did the Carmen Ohio hand signal to the frontstretch grandstand, stirring up the long-time rivalry between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. The two college football teams had a massive brawl the last time they met in November last year.

During the post-race interview, the 44-year-old brought back his infamous “I beat your favorite driver” line, presumably aimed at home hero, Carson Hocevar. However, when asked which driver, he referred to the entire Cup grid.

Hocevar gave Denny Hamlin a run for his money before a mechanical issue forced the young Spire Motorsports driver to give up the lead to William Byron. The #24 Hendrick Motorsports driver also challenged Hamlin for the win in the closing laps, but had to concede to save fuel.

Chris Buescher finished second ahead of Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson. Kyle Busch, who holds the most wins (63) among active drivers, came home in eighth place after starting from second.

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“This is such a gratifying day”: Denny Hamlin on 57th career victory from Michigan

Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on winning at Michigan International Speedway following weeks of difficulties on and off the track. He told Amazon Prime pit reporter Kim Coon that he had a gratifying day securing his 57th career victory.

For context, Hamlin was in contention to win the Coca-Cola 600 two weeks ago, but a pit road blunder forced him to take an extra stop with 12 laps remaining. He also dealt with the ongoing 23XI Racing-NASCAR lawsuit battle, where the court recently vacated the preliminary injunction, meaning plaintiffs 23XI and FRM are at risk of losing their charter privileges.

Regardless, the 23XI co-owner and Joe Gibbs Racing driver had a good day at Michigan, saying:

“It's fantastic. Chris Gayle (#11 Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief), this whole team just done a great job, and we've been so fast throughout the entire year,” Hamlin said. “Good to come here in Michigan where we've been so close over the years and get a victory.” [1:04] “This is such a gratifying day to restart 11th... 12th, something like that, then drive to the front,” he added.

Denny Hamlin will gear up for a road course showdown at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City next week (June 15). He has only won one road course race in his Cup career, which came from Watkins Glen International in 2016.

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Edited by Tushar Bahl