© Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn
When NASCAR star Denny Hamlin stepped out of his car after winning the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway three weeks ago, something felt different.
Hamlin’s win not only locked him into this week’s Sunday’s Championship Four race at Phoenix, it also marked the 60th win of his Hall of Fame career. But rather than the typically brash, bristly Hamlin taunting fans, he displayed a different emotion.
“This win means a lot,” he said, fighting back tears. “This is usually the point where I kind of give the fans some s—, but not today. I appreciate all of you so much … obviously, I want to say hi to my dad and family back home.”
Hamlin’s father had been fighting medical issues that were an open secret in the NASCAR community. But now it appears those medical issues are far more serious than most knew.
Denny Hamlin Says This Is Last Chance He Has To Win A Championship For His Dad
Hamlin’s resume is remarkable. He has 60 victories. He has three wins in the Daytona 500, and he was recently named one of the sport’s greatest drivers of all time.
But at 44 years old, the one thing missing from that resume is a Cup Series championship. As he told Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press on Thursday, a championship win on Sunday would mean more than anybody could possibly imagine.
“I know for a fact this is my last chance for my dad to see it. I don’t want him going and never getting to see the moment,” Hamlin told Fryer of his father, who is 75 and battling a serious illness.
He then explained why the emotions were so different following the win in Las Vegas.
“He was just so happy, and he always tells me I’m the best, no matter if I win or not, he always says I’m the best,” Hamlin said. “He’s a big hype guy, and I sat in his garage and talked with him, he’s got all my old memorabilia, and it’s just good to reminisce. He’s a reminiscent guy, and right now I am just cherishing those hours that I have with them each week.”
In addition to his racing career, Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan. When the two formed the team, Jordan gave Hamlin’s father, Dennis, a cigar, and he told him to smoke only after Denny won a championship.
Hopefully, the elder Hamlin will get to put that cigar to good use on Sunday, completing one of the greatest stories in the sports world today.