Sunday’s Las Vegas race was all about fathers and sons. As Denny Hamlin won his record 60th Cup Series win, which punched his ticket into the Championship 4, he dedicated this big one to his ailing father, failing to fight back tears in victory lane. Reflecting on the dynamic, Hamlin couldn’t help but be grateful; he said, “I’ve got two dads. One is at home and one is here,” while referring to team owner Joe Gibbs. But in reality, it was Joe Gibbs’ late son who was responsible for Hamlin’s now nearly two-decade relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing.

JD Gibbs was the one who spotted something special in Denny Hamlin. A late-model test in the early 2000s sealed Hamlin’s fate forever. JD Gibbs ventured out to find JGR’s next big star and was impressed by the young driver’s skill and composure

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