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Dennis "Denny" Hamlin, Jr. (born November 18, 1980) is a race car driver currently contracted to Joe Gibbs Racing. He was born in Chesterfield, Virginia, and currently lives in Davidson, North Carolina with his long time girlfriend Kristin Buntain. Kristin and Denny have been dating since high school.
During the 2004 season, Hamlin caught the eye of Joe Gibbs Racing with a handful of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NTCS) races while competing full time in Late Models for Dean Motorsports. Hamlin made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Darlington Speedway, dubbed "The Track too Tough to Tame". After starting 27th because of a rained out qualifying session, Hamlin patiently and methodically worked his way towards an 8th place finish, as well as a future at Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2005, Hamlin replaced Mike Bliss in the
In 2006, Hamlin is running his first full season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He made his Cup debut at Kansas Speedway in 2005 after struggling driver Jason Leffler was released after a dismal first half of the season. He finished the Cup season with three Top 10 finishes in seven starts and one pole at Phoenix International Raceway before being named driver of the
In Hamlin's first restrictor plate race as a NEXTEL Cup driver, he scored the huge upset by beating all 2005 pole winners in the 70-lap 2006 Budweiser Shootout. Hamlin became the first ever Rookie of the Year candidate to take home the Shootout victory.
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2006
On February 11, Hamlin started off the season on a high note, winning the prestigious Budweiser Shootout with the assistance of his teammate and mentor, Tony Stewart.
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2005
In the NASCAR Busch Series, Hamlin ran the entire season, finishing 5th in championship points. He had one top 5 finish, 11 top 10's and earned $1,064,110.00.
Late in 2005, Hamlin was tapped to replace driver of the Nextel Cup 11 Fed Ex Chevy, Jason Leffler. Making seven starts, Hamlin drove his way to three top tens, and winning one Budweiser pole.
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2004
Driving for Dean Motorsports in LMSC Competition in car 99, Competing in NCTS in 03 EJP Racing Chevrolet Truck
By July had 10 wins in LMSC Competiton
Won races at four different tracks (South Boston, Hickory, Greenville Pickens, & Southampton Motor Speedway)
Broke Qualifying Track Record Greenville Pickens
Competed in First ever NCTS Event at Indianapolis Raceway Park August 6, 2004
Qualified 7th and finished 10th at IRP
Scheduled to run Richmond International Raceway, California, Las Vegas and New Hampshire NCTS Events with EJP Racing
Competed in first ever NASCAR Busch Series event at Darlington Raceway November 13, 2004
Started 27th (Quals Rained Out), Finished 8th in 18 Joe Gibbs Performance Racing Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo
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2003
Drove for Team Owner Jim Dean in car
Finished Season with 25 Wins, 30 Poles and 33 Top 5's
Won races at five different tracks (South Boston, Hickory, Southampton, Southern National and Coastal Plains)
Won Southern National Speedway Track Championship
Only Driver in Southampton Motor Speedway History to win four consecutive 200 lap races
Won pole for Martinsville Speedway's "Taco Bell 300"
Had sixth highest NASCAR CPI rating in Nation
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2002
Finished Season with 10 Wins, 15 Poles and 5 Top 10's at Southampton Motor Speedway and Southern National Speedway
Opened season with a Pole on his first effort at Southampton
Won Poles at Myrtle Beach and Southampton Fall races
Finished Second in Myrtle Beach "Sleep Inn 250"
Finished seventh at Matinsville "Taco Bell 300"
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2001
Second Season in NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars
Had a very successful run at Southampton Motor Speedway with five Top 5 finishes.
Debuted a new car and drove to 2 consecutive Top 5 finishes at Southampton and Southside.
Finished 12th at Martinsville, TACO BELL 300.
Finished 9th at Myrtle Beach fall race.
Lead most laps of the Southern National Speedway Invitational race.
Preparing for the 2002 season.
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2000
Rookie for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Car Division
Won Rookie of the Year at Southside Speedway in Richmond, VA.
Finished Top 5 in final point standings at Southside Speedway with 18 top 10 and 11 top 5 runs.
Finished 15th at Martinsville , TACO BELL 300.
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1999
Second Season in NASCAR Grand Stock Division
Second in track point standings at Southside Speedway
Out of 25 Races, earned 5 Feature Wins, 17 Top-Fives and 21 Top Tens
Won award for Most Popular Driver in Division
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1998
First Season in NASCAR Grand Stock Division
Competed at Three Virginia Tracks
Out of 25 Races, earned 3 Top Five's and 17 Top Tens
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1997
First Season Driving a Stock Car, Age 16, Mini Stock
Youngest driver to win NASCAR Mini Stock track championship at Langley Speedway
Langley Speedway Track Champion, NASCAR Mini Stock
Holds NASCAR Mini Stock track Record at 18.025
Out of 24 Races, earned 7 Poles, 6 Feature Wins and 21 Top Five's
Southside Speedway Track Champion, NASCAR Limited Dash
Out of 10 Races, earned 4 Poles, 5 Feature Wins and 10 Top Five's
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1995
Competed in 3 classes
- Virginia Dirt Karting Association, State Champion
- World Karting Association Virginia Dirt Series, State Champion
- Virginia Dirt Karting Association, 3rd in points
- World Karting Association Briggs and Stratton/Burris Dirt Nationals, 4th in nation
- Virginia Dirt Karting Association, 4th in points
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1994
Junior Restricted
Amelia Motor Raceway, Track Champion
Junior Stock
Amelia Motor Raceway, Track Champion
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1993
Junior Restricted
Amelia Motor Raceway, 5th in points
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1992
Junior Sportsman
Southside Speedway, Track Champion
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1988-1991
Junior Sportsman
Won FIRST race run at age 7
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Injury
While on a break while testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Hamlin and several crew members were racing around the trailer and timing themselves. During the horseplay, Hamlin severely injured his hand. Hamlin had to get nineteen stitches, yet still finished second at the Crown Royal 400 to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
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Trivia
Hamlin is a native of Chesterfield,Virginia.
Hamlin is a fan of the Washington Redskins, the NFL team for which his car owner Joe Gibbs is head coach.
Hamlin claims if one goes into his bedroom at his parent's house it feels like it is 1995, all of the memorabilia is still there.
Hamlin was a big Bill Elliott fan growing up. He still has Elliott memorabilia, including from when he met Elliot while growing up.
Hamlin claims before he started racing, he was a casual fan sitting in the grandstands at the races at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond International Raceway and that is how he got the want to race.
Hamlin became the second driver in NASCAR Nextel Cup history to win both races at the same track in a rookie season. The other being 2002 Rookie Jimmie Johnson who won at Dover International Speedway.
Denny's real name is: James Dennis Alan Hamlin Jr.
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