Denny Hamlin Brands Mark Martin As “One of the Ten Best Racers Ever” in NASCAR history

Denny Hamlin‘s recent title loss at Phoenix had left him extremely disappointed following the Phoenix race. The JGR Veteran back then claimed that he did not even feel like setting foot into a racing car ever again. However, as time heals all wounds, he, too, has started to recover from his title defeat this year. Now, the 44-year-old recalls Mark Martin and his historic run in NASCAR, as even he remained title-less in his long racing career.

Denny Hamlin had recently crossed the 700 race start mark, and many people believed he did not have it in him to win many races anymore. However, he proved all the haters wrong and achieved his 60th victory this year. Moreover, he was on a path to win the 2025 season Cup Series title, if it wasn’t for the untimely caution caused by William Byron in the final stages of the race.

Now, Mark Martin was a similar driver who had great racing potential in him and won 40 races over his 31 years in the Cup Series. However, even Martin could not ever win a Cup Series title and hence ended his racing career on a disappointing note. Still, he remains one of the more loved drivers on the grid. Denny Hamlin recalled the 66-year-old’s iconic run in NASCAR and placed him amongst the greats.

Speaking on Mark Martin’s influence as a NASCAR driver and athlete, Denny Hamlin recalled that the former could never win a Cup Series title in his career. However, if someone did not place Martin in their top ten list, they would definitely be crazy.

Hamlin continued that everyone who raced against the 66-year-old knew that he was always doing exceptional things on the track. The JGR star insisted that even drivers like Dale Jr. and Rusty Wallace would talk about the 40-race winner as the toughest guy to beat on track at times.

Mark Martin was one that I always thought that the guy never won a championship. But if you don’t put him in your top 10 greatest drivers of all time, you’re absolutely crazy. Anybody that raced against him knew that that guy was doing exceptional things. You ask Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace and guys with far more wins than Mark Martin, they’d say, ‘Yeah, but Mark’s the toughest. Mark was the hardest to beat.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental Podcast.

Denny Hamlin claims ‘trophy means nothing’ following his heartbreaking 2025 title loss

Certainly, losing a title after dreaming about winning it for over two decades and coming so close just to lose it at the end would have been heartbreaking for Denny Hamlin. All his comments were understandable, as even he is a human. Now, with time, Hamlin has gained some newfound perspective and believes that, at the end of the day, title wins are simply trophies that do not mean anything.

Like a wise sage, Denny Hamlin claimed that trophies in NASCAR did not mean anything to him. He continued that there were only a few people who walked in through the door in his house and actually saw the silverware. Rather, Hamlin asserted that he sought respect from his competitors and other people from NASCAR, and he definitely gained that following his performances in 2025.

The trophies mean nothing. There’s only a few people that walk in the front door of this house, so there’s only a few people that see it. It’s the respect that we really ultimately seek.

Denny Hamlin noted.

Denny Hamlin is certainly going to continue racing, and if anything, his title loss this year will make him all the more motivated to give it his all for his maiden Cup Series title win. The JGR Veteran will prepare with all his might in the upcoming season and hopes to remain a similar, if not even more dominant force on the grid. Time will tell about how the 44-year-old bounces back from his heartbreak in the 2025 season.

Read More: Denny Hamlin Slams Critics and Declares Kyle Larson as the ‘Deserving’ 2025 Cup Champion

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