has received 13 NASCAR Cup Collection races since being named considered one of NASCAR’s 75 Biggest Drivers of all-time in 2023. So it ought to come to nobody’s , 45, is extensively thought-about a future NASCAR Corridor of Famer.
The query is who must be thought-about for the NASCAR Corridor of Fame, and Hamlin has a powerful opinion on who belongs and who doesn’t. The 61-time NASCAR Cup Collection winner and two-time sequence runner-up is okay with completed Cup Collection drivers like himself being enshrined within the
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It’s drivers who compete solely within the sport’s decrease divisions, together with the Craftsman Vehicles Collection and the , and others outdoors of the Cup Collection who Hamlin says don’t belong.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Pennzoil 400 offered by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Pennzoil 400 offered by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates together with his mom, Mary Lou Hamlin after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Pennzoil 400 offered by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Nov 2, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) reacts after climnbing out of his automotive following the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin (L) and spouse Jordan Fish depart the Charles R Jonas Federal Constructing on Dec. 1, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jury choice and a gap assertion started an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing staff in opposition to NASCAR.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
PHOENIX, ARIZONA РNOVEMBER 04: NASCAR Cup Collection driver, Denny Hamlin his fianc̩ Jordan Fish and daughter Taylor Hamlin pose for a photograph on the crimson carpet throughout the 2025 NASCAR Awards Present at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on November 04, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, and Jordan Fish embrace on the grid after the NASCAR Cup Collection Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Picture by James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 12, 2025.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 ampm Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection South Level 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Logan Riely/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
MADISON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 07: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, exits his automotive after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Get pleasure from Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on September 07, 2025 in Madison, Illinois. (Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Sep 7, 2025; Madison, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) hosts the trophy after profitable the Get pleasure from Illinois 300 at World Vast Know-how Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Puetz-Imagn Photographs
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Jul 20, 2025; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after profitable the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Photographs
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection FireKeepers On line casino 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates with the checkered flag after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection FireKeepers On line casino 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after profitable the NASCAR Cup Collection Cook dinner Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Nationwide Debt Aid Toyota speaks to the media throughout Media Day for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Seaside, Florida. (Picture by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Denny Hamlin appears to be like on earlier than the CFP Nationwide Championship faculty soccer sport at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) throughout the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Conference Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photographs
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx One Charge Toyota, and JGR staff proprietor and NASCAR Corridor of Famer, Joe Gibbs speak within the storage space after an on-track incident throughout observe for the NASCAR Cup Collection Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 02, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 06: Co-owners of 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx One Charge Toyota, and NBA Corridor of Famer, Michael Jordan speak on the grid after the NASCAR Cup Collection YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 06, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Picture by Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Aug 11, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) wrecks after the end of the race throughout the Cook dinner Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Apr 28, 2024; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Mar 31, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates profitable the Toyota Homeowners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Mar 31, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after profitable the Toyota Homeowners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Feb 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates his victory of the Busch Mild Conflict at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Obligatory Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish poses on the crimson carpet for the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet on the Music Metropolis Middle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Sept. 16: Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the Bass Professional Outlets Night time Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) makes his approach onto the monitor Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, forward of the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the AdventHealth 400, Sunday at Kansas Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Bubba Wallace, left, with driver and staff proprietor Denny Hamlin at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Could 28, 2022.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) exits his automotive after a second climate delay throughout the Ally 400 on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 26, 2022.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable the Toyota Homeowners 400 at Richmond Raceway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin drives throughout the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway occasion on Decrease Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Sept 5: Denny Hamlin celebrates after profitable the Cook dinner Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin reacts as he holds a lobster profitable at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2017.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin, the two-time defending Daytona 500 champion, received the primary stage of the rain-delayed 2021 race Sunday Feb. 14, 2021, at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates profitable the 2020 Daytona 500.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Alabama soccer announcer Eli Gold, left, talks with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin at The Locker Room close to campus Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2013. Talladega Superspeedway launched two NASCAR Faculty Packages on the College of Alabama and Auburn College.Prizes got out on the occasion and driver Denny Hamlin gave choose college students rides to class all through the day. The primary 100 college students received unique social gathering passes to a hospitality space within the infield at Talladege for the upcoming Tenting World RV Gross sales 500 and a seat on a constitution bus to convey them to the monitor on race day. employees picture | Dusty Compton
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after profitable Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Collection race at Dover Worldwide Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
June 6, 2011 – Denny Hamlin watches his second shot on the par 4 second gap on the FESJC Danny Thomas Professional Am at TPC Southwind. He made par on the outlet.
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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in prime 10 for all-time wins
Sep 3, 2017; Darlington, SC, USA; Monster Power NASCAR Cup Collection driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates profitable the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
DENNY HALMIN’S TRAGIC OFFSEASON:
“I feel it simply is dependent upon what you need the Corridor of Fame to be,” Hamlin mentioned lately on his .
Decrease-tier NASCAR drivers do not evaluate to Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon or Richard Petty
Hamlin mentioned the NASCAR Corridor of Fame loses credibility with the game’s followers when it contains lower-tier drivers with the all-time greats.
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“Now, I see that people are making the statements that it’s the NASCAR Corridor of Fame. Go ask anybody that’s the very informal fan … they don’t seem to be watching. Do they know that there’s like six sequence of NASCAR? No, they know of Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty. That’s Sunday.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast began NASCAR Corridor of Fame debate
The subject didn’t simply pop up on Hamlin’s podcast. It began on a latest episode of when Travis Rockhold, an on-air contributor for Soiled Mo Media, prefaced a remark by saying it was “controversial” after which mentioned, “I do not suppose Xfinity, O’Reilly, Busch, Nationwide (sequence) ought to depend. To me, Xfinity’s like AAA (in baseball). If it was earlier than NASCAR was created, then we will have a dialogue. But when NASCAR Cup Collection was there, then I feel that is when it ought to begin.”
Earnhardt Jr. is within the NASCAR Corridor of Fame and serves on its voting panel.
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, “It’s actually not the Cup Collection Corridor of Fame,” noting that different ranges of the game are additionally thought-about for induction. “You’re actually altering what the Corridor of Fame is.”
Kenny Wallace sides with Denny Hamlin on NASCAR Corridor of Fame debate
Hamlin, and retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace agreed with Rockhold.
On his , Wallace mentioned, “Anybody who compares a former O’Reilly Auto Components Collection champion to the likes of Richard Petty has misplaced their marbles.”
Hamlin saved the talk occurring his podcast Monday.
“I consider that most people which have adamant arguments for the decrease sequence guys, they’ve a connection to them in some way,” Hamlin mentioned. “They’re their mates, they grew up watching them or one thing. So, they’ve an emotional connection to these folks. ‘I would like my man in! He’s my man! He deserves to be in!’”
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Who’re the 2027 NASCAR Corridor of Fame nominees?
The NASCAR Corridor of Fame choice committee introduced its poll for the 2027 class on March 29. It contains Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Ray Elder, Ernie Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie, and Jack Sprague on the trendy period poll. The pioneer poll for older careers contains Ray Fox, Harry Hyde, Banjo Matthews, Herb Nab and Larry Phillips.
The NASCAR Corridor of Fame voting panel will meet in Charlotte on Could 19 to forged ballots. Fan voting, which is able to depend as one poll towards the collection of the category, might be open from April 14-Could 17 at .
