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The NASCAR Cup Series returns to one of its crown jewel events this weekend as Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Brickyard 400. As the current Cup Series points leader, Denny Hamlin will once again be among the favorites to contend for the win.
Hamlin has built a Hall of Fame-caliber career with more than 60 Cup Series victories and multiple Daytona 500 triumphs. Yet one of NASCAR’s most prestigious trophies has remained just out of reach. Despite years of strong performances at the famed 2.5-mile oval, the Brickyard 400 is still missing from his résumé.
Here’s a closer look at Hamlin’s history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
No. Despite nearly two decades of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hamlin has never won the Brickyard 400.
His best finish is third, a result he has achieved three times:
He’s also collected several other solid finishes at the historic oval, including fourth, fifth and sixth-place results, but Victory Lane has continued to elude the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran.
Considering Hamlin’s success everywhere else, Indianapolis stands out as one of the biggest races he has yet to conquer.
Hamlin’s recent Brickyard performances have been a mix of podium speed and frustrating bad luck.
His last five Cup Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
Last season offered another reminder of what Hamlin is capable of at Indianapolis. After starting 39th, he charged through the field to finish third, earning his third career Brickyard podium.
Two years earlier, an accident ended his day early, while another crash in the 2020 race also prevented what appeared to be a competitive run.
Few active drivers enter Indianapolis with as much momentum as Hamlin.
The veteran arrives at the Brickyard leading the Cup Series standings and once again finds himself in the middle of the championship conversation. His No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team has consistently shown race-winning speed throughout the season, and his recent podium finish suggests Indianapolis remains one of the tracks where he can contend.
A victory this weekend would not only strengthen his championship campaign but would also allow Hamlin to cross one of the final major accomplishments off his résumé by finally capturing the Brickyard 400.
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Hamlin has built a Hall of Fame-caliber career with more than 60 Cup Series victories and multiple Daytona 500 triumphs. Yet one of NASCAR’s most prestigious trophies has remained just out of reach. Despite years of strong performances at the famed 2.5-mile oval, the Brickyard 400 is still missing from his résumé.
Here’s a closer look at Hamlin’s history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Has Denny Hamlin ever won the Brickyard 400?
No. Despite nearly two decades of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hamlin has never won the Brickyard 400.
His best finish is third, a result he has achieved three times:
- 2008
- 2014
- 2018
He’s also collected several other solid finishes at the historic oval, including fourth, fifth and sixth-place results, but Victory Lane has continued to elude the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran.
Considering Hamlin’s success everywhere else, Indianapolis stands out as one of the biggest races he has yet to conquer.
Denny Hamlin’s recent Indianapolis results
Hamlin’s recent Brickyard performances have been a mix of podium speed and frustrating bad luck.
His last five Cup Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
- 2025: 3rd
- 2024: 32nd (accident)
- 2020: 28th (accident)
- 2019: 6th
- 2018: 3rd
Last season offered another reminder of what Hamlin is capable of at Indianapolis. After starting 39th, he charged through the field to finish third, earning his third career Brickyard podium.
Two years earlier, an accident ended his day early, while another crash in the 2020 race also prevented what appeared to be a competitive run.
Can Hamlin finally add a Brickyard victory?
Few active drivers enter Indianapolis with as much momentum as Hamlin.
The veteran arrives at the Brickyard leading the Cup Series standings and once again finds himself in the middle of the championship conversation. His No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team has consistently shown race-winning speed throughout the season, and his recent podium finish suggests Indianapolis remains one of the tracks where he can contend.
A victory this weekend would not only strengthen his championship campaign but would also allow Hamlin to cross one of the final major accomplishments off his résumé by finally capturing the Brickyard 400.
Denny Hamlin’s Full Indianapolis Motor Speedway Cup Series stats
- Starts: 17
- Wins: 0
- Best finish: 3rd
- Top-five finishes: 6
- Top-10 finishes: 8
- Most recent finish: 3rd (2025)
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