Denny Hamlin Earns Second Straight Xfinity Fastest Lap Award

Denny Hamlin earned the Xfinity Fastest Lap Award for the second straight year in the NASCAR Cup Series. The driver of the No. 11 was recognized for the accomplishment during Tuesday night's NASCAR Awards the at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

Hamlin won four races during the 2026 Cup Series season, with victories at Las Vegas, Nashville, Michigan, and Pocono. The Joe Gibbs Racing star won the regular season championship, which earned him the No. 1 seed to begin the 10-race Chase.

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Unfortunately, the results were not there for Hamlin in the Chase like they were during the regular season. Hamlin recorded two top 5s in the Chase and no wins, ultimately finishing third in the final points standings.

In every NASCAR race, one point is awarded to the driver who runs the fastest lap. In 2026, Denny Hamlin ran more fastest laps than any driver in the Cup Series field for the second straight season.

On Tuesday night, the 45-year-old out of Chesterfield, Virginia was acknowledged for his blistering fast laps throughout the 2026 campaign. The award comes with a $30,000 donation to a charity of choice. Hamlin has elected to donate it to his own charity, the Denny Hamlin Foundation, which Comcast will match.

The Denny Hamlin Foundation, established in 2008, is committed to raising awareness and funds for the specific needs of children with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes damage to a person's lungs, digestive system, and other organs.

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Hamlin tied Ryan Blaney for the most fastest laps run in the 2026 season. Those four races included Las Vegas, Martinsville, the All-Star Race at Dover, and Nashville. Hamlin won three of those four races and finished runner-up at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin Still Seeking Elusive First Cup Series Championship

As much as Denny Hamlin probably takes pride in earning the Xfinity Fastest Lap Award, he once again fell short in his bid for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. However, in his 21st full-time season, Hamlin put together arguably his best season to date.

Hamlin did not have any DNFs during the 2026 season and completed all but three laps through the 36 races. He tied the late Kyle Busch for ninth on NASCAR's all-time wins list at Michigan International Speedway, just over two weeks since Busch's sudden death.

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The following week, Hamlin won his fourth race of the season at Pocono Raceway, putting him by himself in ninth on the all-time wins list.

Hamlin's contract expires with Joe Gibbs Racing at the conclusion of the 2027 season. While he has not officially announced retirement, Hamlin has made it clear he does not plan on re-signing after 2027.