When did Denny Hamlin break his back?

Denny Hamlin's back injury could have proved career ending.

When did Denny Hamlin break his back?

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

Denny Hamlin has been making his trade in the NASCAR Cup Series for several years, and he even owns a team in the competition in partnership with NBA legend, Michael Jordan. The team is called 23XI Racing, and as far as Hamlin’s racing career is concerned, he participates in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Denny Hamlin has amassed many accolades in his long racing career, and while he has had a lot of moments to remember in the sport, there have been a few who he would ideally like to forget. In the year 2013, while racing at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Hamlin was locked in a last-lap battle for the win against his teammate, Joey Logano.

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As the duo was trying to get the better of each other, they collided and went spinning into the wall. Moreover, Hamlin broke his back after crashing his car straight into the inside wall, and during that time, it was reported, that Hamlin damaged his L1 vertebra. While Hamlin was initially able to get out of his No. 11 car, he immediately slumped to the ground.

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The medical team at the circuit rushed to provide aid to Denny Hamlin, and after a short while, he was put in an ambulance and sent to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Because of the horrific crash, the relationship between Joey Lagano and Denny Hamlin deteriorated. Still, with time, both drivers were able to let the past be in the past.

How has Denny Hamlin performed in NASCAR since breaking his back?

Denny Hamlin, despite suffering a serious injury, was extremely hard at work during his rehabilitation process and, because of his relentless effort, was able to make his return full return in the same year at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington, missing 4 races. Moreover, he managed to hold off Jeff Gordon in order to come away with a brilliant P2 finish at the event.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin

Hamlin didn’t score a single race win in 2013 until the season finale at Homestead. After a fierce battle with Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for over the last 30 laps, Hamlin was able to come out as the victor. The American’s career since his horrific crash has been pretty solid as he has competed in various NASCAR racing categories and has even triumphed in several races.

Denny Hamlin, in his overall career, has won 48 races in the NASCAR Cup Series. 26 of these wins came after the unfortunate accident. He also has 17 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and he scored 2 race victories in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. However, despite achieving so much, Hamlin is still seen going around circuits following his passion for as long as his body would allow.

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