Kurt Busch takes out the top honors in motorsports history in an electric finale!

Hamlin Breaks Tie, Now Sits 10th on NASCAR Win List Sean Gardner - Getty Images Denny Hamlin backed up his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2025 with a win in this year's Spring race, Sunday Afternoon. Last year's win tied him for tenth on the all-time win list with two-time Cup Champion Kevin Harvick; this win grants him sole ownership of the spot and moves him past his own goal of 60. Hamlin's win last fall was emotional for many reasons beyond matching Harvick's record.

It locked Hamlin into the Championship Four for the first time since 2020, in what looked to be his best chance at his first championship. It surpassed the number of wins he thought he would achieve, and it turned out to be the last win his father saw in person or on TV before he passed this off-season. His father was not well enough to travel to Phoenix a few weeks later, where Hamlin ultimately fell just short of the championship, and Hamlin was upfront about the fact that he didn't expect his dad to see another championship run.

His dad died in December, unexpectedly in a house fire; his mother, who was in the same fire, was able to celebrate with Hamlin on the front stretch along with his partner Jordan Fish, two daughters, and newborn son. With everything going on in Hamlin's life away from the track, rebounding from the lost championship, the loss of his dad, and 23XI Racing's legal victory, Hamlin was candid that it took him a moment to get into the rhythm and enjoy the sport again. "I know it took a few weeks to feel like driving and over the last couple of weeks regained my love," Hamlin told NASCAR on FOX.

Denny Hamlin embraces his mom, Mary Lou, after his 61st NASCAR Cup Series career win. Sean Gardner - Getty Images "It’s great that Mom gets to see this. I know that Dad is still saying, ‘That’s my boy.