9781422270783

SENSATIONAL AT SOUTHERN Denny Hamlin says the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina is his favorite racetrack, and it’s easy to see why. Although it’s considered one of the most challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit, Hamlin has savored some sweet wins there throughout his career. This includes his 2021 victory in the Cook Out Southern 500, which was the third time he had earned the checkered flag in the race (2010 and 2017 marked his other Victory Lane visits). After enduring a rare but miserable victory drought with no wins to celebrate during the 2021 regular season, winning the first race of the 10-race playoffs at his favorite venue was a big mood booster for Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing Team after being in contention in a bunch of previous races. Hamlin leaned on his past experiences navigating the odd-shaped 1.36-mile track to outduel Kyle Larson in a pressure-filled last lap to earn the win and leave Darlington with a smile on his face once again.

Denny Hamlin won his third Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC, in 2021.

16

Superstars of the Speedway: Denny Hamlin