HISTORIC MILESTONE: Denny Hamlin Ties Jeff Gordon’s Record with Third-Place Finish in 700th Cup Series Start
By [Your Name] | June 2, 2025 | NASCAR Headquarters – Charlotte, NC
In a sport where milestones are measured in seconds, speeds, and finishes, Denny Hamlin’s 700th NASCAR Cup Series start marked a moment of rare historic symmetry. With a gritty third-place finish in Sunday’s race at [insert track name], Hamlin not only continued to affirm his elite status in stock car racing but also tied the legendary Jeff Gordon for the best finish ever recorded by a driver in their 700th start.
This impressive performance not only adds to Hamlin’s long list of career accolades but also reinforces the legacy he’s steadily built over nearly two decades at the top level of NASCAR. While the race itself was thrilling, the broader narrative was one of resilience, longevity, and the evolution of a modern racing icon.
A Milestone Earned, Not Given
Denny Hamlin, now 44, made his Cup Series debut in 2005 at Kansas Speedway. In the twenty years since, he’s etched his name into the upper echelons of the sport, amassing 54 career Cup wins, three Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), and multiple Championship 4 appearances. Yet Sunday’s result, while not a win, served as a symbol of enduring excellence.
> “To hit 700 starts in this sport, in this era of competition, is something I’m proud of,” Hamlin said after climbing out of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. “To come home third and match what Jeff [Gordon] did at this point in his career — that’s special. He’s one of the all-time greats. To be in that company means a lot.”
The third-place finish was a hard-earned result on a day that saw strategy calls, tire management, and a late-race caution shuffle the running order in the final 30 laps. Hamlin, ever the tactician, worked his way through traffic and held off charging rivals in the closing stages to secure the podium spot.
Matching the Legacy of Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and widely considered one of the sport’s most influential figures, recorded a third-place finish in his 700th Cup start back in 2012 at Martinsville Speedway. At the time, Gordon was celebrated not just for his driving prowess but also for his impact on NASCAR’s rise to national prominence.
Now, more than a decade later, Hamlin has equaled that milestone in his own distinct way — through consistency, strategic brilliance, and a relentless drive to win. Though their styles may differ, the parallel is powerful: two generational talents who helped define their respective eras.
> “Denny’s always been a smart driver. He knows how to position himself to get the most out of a car, especially late in races,” said Gordon, now a vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. “To see him match that finish — it just goes to show how much he still has left in the tank.”
The Road to 700 Starts: A Career of Consistency
In a career that began with promise and evolved into one of championship contention, Hamlin’s journey to 700 starts is defined by consistency, competitiveness, and clutch performances. He became the first rookie to qualify for the playoffs in 2006, and since then, has remained a fixture near the front of the field.
Some key stats from Hamlin’s 700 starts:
54 career Cup Series wins, including:
Three Daytona 500 victories
Multiple Southern 500s and Bristol Night Race wins
321 Top-10 finishes
207 Top-5 finishes
35 career poles
17 Playoff appearances
Championship 4 appearances in 2014, 2019, 2020, and 2021
Though a championship has eluded him so far, his overall body of work places him among the most accomplished drivers to ever compete at NASCAR’s highest level.
> “People always bring up the title — and sure, that’s the goal,” Hamlin said post-race. “But when I look back, I know I’ve given everything I have to this sport, to this team, to my fans. That’s what matters to me. I’m still chasing that title, but I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished.”
700 Starts in a Changing Landscape
Perhaps what makes Hamlin’s 700th start even more impressive is the era in which it occurred. Today’s NASCAR is a landscape of younger drivers, Next Gen car technology, evolving safety protocols, and intense parity between teams. Surviving, let alone thriving, over 700 races requires not only physical endurance but also mental adaptability and strategic reinvention.
Throughout the years, Hamlin has successfully navigated multiple generational shifts in NASCAR, both in terms of equipment and competition. From the Car of Tomorrow to the Gen-6, and now the Next Gen platform, Hamlin has remained a weekly contender.
> “You have to evolve or get left behind,” Hamlin reflected. “I’ve worked hard to stay ahead of the curve — with my driving, with the team, and even how I prepare off the track.”
More Than a Driver: Owner, Analyst, and Mentor
Denny Hamlin’s impact on the sport now extends beyond the driver’s seat. In 2020, he partnered with NBA legend Michael Jordan to co-found 23XI Racing, a Cup Series team that now fields two full-time entries with drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. Under Hamlin’s guidance, the team has secured wins and earned playoff berths in a short time, proving his acumen in team-building and talent development.
Additionally, Hamlin has embraced his role as a vocal figure in NASCAR’s ongoing growth. As a part-time analyst for FOX Sports and a regular voice on his own podcast “Actions Detrimental,” he offers fans a rare blend of insight, candor, and behind-the-scenes perspective.
> “Denny’s one of the sharpest minds in the garage,” said fellow driver Joey Logano. “He’s doing it all — driving, owning, analyzing — and he’s doing it at a high level.”
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
As news spread of Hamlin’s third-place finish and his matching of Jeff Gordon’s milestone, fans took to social media to celebrate the achievement. The hashtag #Hamlin700 quickly began trending, with tributes pouring in from across the NASCAR world.
> “Say what you want about championships — Denny Hamlin is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 700 starts and still running with the best of them,” one fan tweeted.
Another added:
> “That finish shows why he’s still elite. Congrats to Denny on 700 — here’s to 700 more (well, maybe not THAT many, but you get the point!)”
What’s Next for Hamlin?
With the 2025 NASCAR season entering its summer stretch, Hamlin remains in prime playoff position and continues to be one of Toyota’s top contenders. Though questions occasionally arise about how much longer he’ll compete full-time, Hamlin insists the fire still burns.
> “As long as I feel competitive, I’m going to keep going,” he said. “I’m not ready to hang it up just yet.”
Whether or not a championship is in his future, Hamlin’s 700th start serves as a reminder of everything he’s already achieved — and a preview of what still may come.
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Conclusion: A Fitting Finish for a Living Legend
In tying Jeff Gordon’s record with a third-place finish in his 700th Cup Series start, Denny Hamlin didn’t just hit a number — he hit a note of poetic resonance. It’s the kind of story that reinforces NASCAR’s deep respect for its legends and celebrates the persistence and passion that drives the sport forward.
As the 2025 season continues, all eyes will remain on Hamlin — not just for what he does next on the track, but for how he continues shaping NASCAR’s future from every angle.
For now, though, the message is clear: 700 starts, and still going strong.
