When you think of Denny Hamlin in 2025, one word comes to mind — consistency. If there’s one guy in NASCAR right now who’s been doing all the right things lap after lap, race after race, it definitely is Hamlin.
Now, you might’ve heard his name buzzing around a bit this season, and for both good and bad reasons. However, this one’s definitely about a good one. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran has been on fire this season. He drives the No. 11 Toyota Camry for JGR, and even though he’s not leading every major stat this year, he’s doing something that no one else is even close to.
Denny Hamlin’s Doing It Quietly, but Better Than Anyone Else
While his teammate Christopher Bell has more wins (three, to be exact), and Kyle Larson has more second-place finishes in the NextGen car (23 compared to Hamlin’s 21), Hamlin is running circles around everybody in one key stat.
NASCAR Insights just posted a list of active drivers with the most consecutive lead lap finishes on X(formerly Twitter), and Hamlin is absolutely destroying the competition. He’s got 20 in a row, and is two short of Kevin Harvick’s 22 streak, which was achieved five years ago. The next best on this current list is William Byron with just seven.
When a driver is on the lead lap, it means they’re still in the fight, right there on the same lap with the leader before the chequered flag drops. The driver didn’t get lapped and does not have to deal with leaders coming past him, jeopardising the former’s race pace. It means the driver has been running strong and consistently and still has the chance to snatch a podium or a good points haul.
That kind of streak isn’t easy. Races can be chaotic, especially on speedways. You’ve got crashes, tire issues, weird pit stop strategies, and yet Hamlin has stayed right there with the best of them every single time.
Denny Hamlin: Mr. Reliable on Track
Even though Hamlin’s not topping the championship table (he’s currently sitting second, just behind William Byron), this streak shows something more important than just raw speed—it shows grit and driving prowess. He’s been laser-focused, smooth, and always in the hunt.
The last time NASCAR saw something like this was back in 2020, when Kevin Harvick pulled off 22 straight lead-lap finishes. Hamlin’s now only two away from matching that. And honestly, if he keeps driving like this, he might just beat it.
So, while other drivers might grab the spotlight now and then, Hamlin’s been letting his driving do the talking. Quiet, steady, and damn near perfect. He might not be winning every weekend, but make no mistake—Hamlin is the guy everyone’s chasing.