When it comes to performing under pressure, few drivers in NASCAR history have done it better than Denny Hamlin. The Daytona 500 is known as the sport’s biggest and most unpredictable race, where luck, skill, and timing all play a crucial role. Yet, in the last 15 runnings of the Great American Race, only one driver has managed to win it more than once—Denny Hamlin. That alone raises the question: Is he the most clutch driver on NASCAR’s biggest stage?
Winning the Daytona 500 once is a dream for many drivers. Some of the biggest names in NASCAR history, including Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, and Tony Stewart, never reached Victory Lane at Daytona. But Hamlin has done it three times, taking the checkered flag in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Each win came in dramatic fashion, proving his ability to deliver when it matters most.
In 2016, Hamlin secured his first Daytona 500 victory in the closest finish in race history, edging out Martin Truex Jr. by just 0.010 seconds. That moment alone cemented his reputation as a driver who thrives under intense pressure. But he didn’t stop there. In 2019, he dominated again, holding off his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates to claim his second win. Then, in 2020, he became the first back-to-back winner since Sterling Marlin in 1994-1995, further solidifying his legacy.
What makes Hamlin’s success at Daytona even more impressive is the sheer unpredictability of superspeedway racing. Unlike traditional tracks, where driver skill and car setup make the biggest difference, Daytona is a high-speed chess match. The draft, strategy, and last-lap decisions are what separate winners from the rest. And time after time, Hamlin has found himself in the right place at the right time.
Some may argue that winning the Daytona 500 doesn’t define a driver’s overall career, but when it comes to clutch performances in NASCAR’s biggest event, Hamlin stands alone. No other driver in the last 15 years has figured out Daytona like he has. The question remains: Is he the most clutch driver on NASCAR’s biggest stage? Looking at his record, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
