Harry Gant accomplished something that hasn’t been surpassed since August 1992. The veteran racer guided the No. 33 Skoal Bandit to victory at Michigan International Speedway at the age of 52 years and 219 days. Using a clever fuel strategy, Gant stretched his tank 51 laps to the checkered flag and cautiously topped off twice. Gant stayed out, took the lead with 19 laps remaining, and never looked back while others pitted late. He became the oldest winner in NASCAR Cup Series history with that victory, which was his 18th and last Cup Series triumph. Notably, that victory followed his historic run of back-to-back four race victories in September 1991. Gant was not slowed down by his age.
It made him sharper. He was dangerous since he had a good automobile and a close team. The latter years were a second wind rather than a hardship. “Those were the easiest years I had, the late years because we had a lot better car,” Gant said after reflecting on that run for years. Denny Hamlin is currently living a variation of that same story in 2025. Even at 44, he continues to fight for and deliver victories. Hamlin is aiming for a three-peat at Bristol after winning back-to-back games at Martinsville and Darlington. Despite his success, Hamlin has stated unequivocally that he will not become another Mark Martin or Harry Gant. This weekend, Denny Hamlin travels to Bristol with the goal of winning the Cup Series for the third time in a row.
The 44-year-old is on a high following wins at Darlington and Martinsville. Although supporters and commentators laud his form, Hamlin is adopting a different stance. He resists age, but in a moment of stark honesty, he acknowledged the toll it takes. Although he is winning, Hamlin, who is 44 years old and the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, is aware that each victory could be one of his final ones. However, Hamlin revealed his future plans during a media appearance in Bristol. Hamlin responded, “Maybe,” when asked if he is bucking the aging trend. However, Mark Martin did it at the age of fifty. He was outstanding. Without a doubt, I will never get that far. Where credit was due, Hamlin gave it.
He and Harry Gant both won numerous races, but Martin never took home a championship. Martin’s 2009 season is notable because, despite being 50 years old, he finished second in points and won five races. Martin had already retired from full-time racing at the time of that season. Martin repaid him with a championship run that nearly changed the course of history after Rick Hendrick dragged him out of semi-retirement. Hamlin appreciates longevity like that. He contrasted Martin’s performance with that of other elderly drivers, such as 48-year-old Kevin Harvick. However, Hamlin does not envision himself living into his fifties. “Everyone’s physical, mental, and visual health disappear at various times. I still have my drive. The show is still going on. Thus, I will attempt to just win all I can in this window while it is still there,” he said.
That “window” is at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Even if he’s hot, Hamlin is aware that he’s also riding some luck. After a prompt caution and a strong pit stop, he won at Darlington. “There are two people I love right now: Kyle Larson and my pit crew,” he even remarked afterwards. Although Hamlin was aware that he couldn’t win the race by sheer speed, he was in the right place at the right moment. That’s all it takes sometimes. His victory in Martinsville the previous week, however, was more decisive. He led 274 laps, demonstrating his continued lethality when the car is in the proper position. Hamlin will become the first driver over 40 to win three in a row since Gant in 1991 if he wins again. However, Hamlin isn’t hiding from reality. He knows the window won’t stay open forever. However, as Hamlin continues his late-career push, he’s not just fighting Father Time. He’s also battling the system.
Red tape culture is called out by Hamlin! Denny Hamlin is no longer merely a driver. In addition, he co-owns 23XI Racing. Because of his dual function, he has a more comprehensive perspective on the sport and has recently been outspoken about what he believes to be preventable obstacles, beginning with the Cup Series’ horsepower restrictions. Cup vehicles are now limited by NASCAR at 670 horsepower. Hamlin desires more. He thinks that if NASCAR gave drivers more authority and returned more control to them, the racing would be better. Hamlin questioned the reasoning for the horsepower cap on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The engine bills were the same whether we had 900 horsepower or 750 or 650 as we do now. Were the producers just eating that cost? I don’t think so. I think they’ve been passing it along to the teams the entire time,” he said.
Notably, NASCAR has frequently announced plans to reduce horsepower due to financial constraints, but Hamlin has a different perspective. Additionally, NASCAR has stated that a new manufacturer may soon join the sport and that they wish to maintain horsepower modest to facilitate admission. Red tape appears to be the problem. He continued, “Until then, I just think—why not give the people what they want?” “I don’t see any reason not to go back to the 750 and just try it,” he pleaded as well. Just give it a shot and see if it returns it to the driver’s hands. In order to hear his own voice, Hamlin is not yelling. He’s spent enough time in the garage to know what functions well and what doesn’t. He is struggling to maintain the sport exciting while he’s still part of it—whether behind the wheel or behind the scenes.
