Denny Hamlin

Considered one of the all-time greatest late model drivers in the Virginias and Carolinas, Denny Hamlin is a bona fide superstar in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 2006 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year became the first rookie to ever qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup and has qualified for the Chase in each year he's been racing NASCAR's most elite level. The longest-tenured driver at Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin first piloted his No. 11 FedEx-sponsored car to victory in the 2006 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona and amassed two wins during his rookie season and continues to be a race win contender at every stop on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In fact, Denny recorded a season-high eight race wins in 2010 to nearly capture the 2010 series title. In 2014, Denny qualified for the Championship round of the playoff style format that the NASCAR Chase for the Cup adapted nearly winning his first title. Denny is highly regarded by his peers and the media, who consider him a top contender each year to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

In the 2016 Daytona 500, Hamlin made a pass on Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth for the lead on the final lap. Hamlin and Martin Truex, Jr. were side-by-side for the win as they crossed the start-finish line, but Hamlin – who led a race-high 95 laps – prevailed by inches over Truex.