The best NASCAR driver never to win the championship. That’s a narrative that could finally change for Denny Hamlin. After his victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the veteran racer finally has a shot at the elusive Bill France Cup in his 20th season with Joe Gibbs Racing. For a driver known for his brash and outspoken style, the 44-year-old was uncharacteristically emotional when the checkered flag was waved, simply because this win meant more.

It’s been a real journey for Joe Gibbs. Hamlin joined the No. 11 team as a 25-year-old, eager to impress in the final 7 races of the 2005 campaign. He did exactly that, and two decades later, the Virginia-native has established himself as a leader on the team. But the story could have been very different.

Joe Gibbs reminisces about Hamlin’s break

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