Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry, but his efforts in the world of motorsports don’t stop there. He also competes part-time in the Xfinity Series for JGR, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra, and co-owns 23XI racing alongside Michael Jordan.

Born in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 18, 1980, Hamlin began his racing career in 1988 as a 7-year-old who got behind the wheel of go-karts. He progressed from there until he signed a development contract with JGR in 2004, going on to compete in five Truck Series races with EJP Racing that year.

Hamlin made his Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in 2005 and began competing full-time at the top level in 2006. With two victories and 20 top-10s in his inaugural campaign, he finished third in the drivers’ standings as a rookie and was named Rookie of the Year.

Since then, he’s only found more success, even if a season-long championship has eluded him. A three-time winner at the Daytona 500, he’s racked up 51 career victories in the Cup Series, peaking in 2010 with eight wins and a second-place showing in the season-long standings.