| James Dennis Hamlin Jr. or better known as | | | | NASCAR Nextel Cup series in 2006 and he also |
| Denny Hamlin, was born on November 18, 1980 | | | | drover the Busch Series. During the NEXTEL |
| was born in Tampa, Florida but spent most of | | | | Cup, he managed to beat the previous season's |
| his childhood in Chesterfield, Virginia. He | | | | pole winners in the 2006 Budweiser Shootout |
| started racing go karts when he was 7 years | | | | and in doing such, he made history as being |
| old in 1988. He was burning up the go karting | | | | the first Rookie of the year candidate to win |
| tracks in Richmond, Virginia. By the time he | | | | such an honor. |
| was 16, Hamlin had switched to sturdier | | | | |
| racing cars. He was racing stock cars and at | | | | While during a break at the Lowe's Motor |
| his first race at Langley Speedway, saw him | | | | Speedway, Hamlin injured his left hand |
| winning the pole position and the race. From | | | | between the pinkie and wrist which brought |
| then on, Hamlin raced in the Grand Stock | | | | about 19 stitches as a result from goofing |
| division in 1998 which then spurred him on to | | | | around with some of his crew members. |
| Late Model Stock Cars in the year 2000. | | | | However, despite the serious injury, he still |
| | | | managed to bag the second spot at the Crown |
| Hamlin's lucky break came when he was 24 and | | | | Royal 400. He then went on to win his first |
| racing in the Late Model Stock Cars full | | | | career Cup Series at the Pocono 500 and he |
| time. It was there that Hamlin garnered the | | | | also managed to bring home his second career |
| attention of Joe Gibbs Racing who then | | | | pole. His second career win was achieved in |
| decided to sign him up for a driver | | | | the same year in the Pennsylvania 500, Pocono |
| development program. The same year, Hamlin | | | | Raceway and again made history for being only |
| joined the major-league NASCAR Craftsman | | | | the 2nd rookie in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup |
| Truck Series races and the NASCAR Busch | | | | history to get both trophies during the same |
| Series at Darlington Speedway. He managed to | | | | season. |
| secure an 8th place finish and with that, a | | | | |
| stable footing in Joe Gibbs Racing. Even | | | | During the same Cup series, Hamlin scored the |
| though he started at 27th after an | | | | Raybestos Rookie of the year with a third |
| unfortunate qualifying session, Hamlin's | | | | finish in the final cup standings. He was in |
| skills took over during the actual race and | | | | the NASCAR record books once again for being |
| showed Joe Gibbs Racing that he was indeed a | | | | able to score the highest ever points finish |
| good investment. | | | | for a rookie which then led to him being the |
| | | | first rookie to qualify for the Chase for the |
| Hamlin ended up replacing Mike Bliss in 2005 | | | | NEXTEL Cup. He has made many important |
| for the Busch Series and he ended the race | | | | figures in the NASCAR world to sit up and |
| with a steady 5th spot in the final | | | | take notice. His excellent performance is |
| championship. He also was able to compete in | | | | also bringing on the heat on his other rival |
| his first NEXTEL Cup Series after which he | | | | drivers. |
| made his Cup debut after replacing Jason | | | | |
| Leffler. He went on to finish the Cup season | | | | Hamlin now lives in Cornelius, North Carolina |
| with 3 top 10 finishes in seven starts and | | | | to be close to the tracks. When he is off |
| one pole at Phoenix International Raceway. | | | | track, he spends time with his friends, plays |
| Hamlin had his first full season in the | | | | online games and the occasional game of golf. |