In August 1992, Harry Gant did something that still hasn’t been matched. At 52 years and 219 days old, the veteran racer wheeled the No. 33 Skoal Bandit to victory at Michigan International Speedway. Gant pulled off a smart fuel strategy, topping off twice under caution and stretching his tank 51 laps to the checkered flag. While others pitted late, Gant stayed out, took the lead with 19 laps to go, and never looked back. That win was the 18th and final Cup Series victory of his career—and made him the oldest winner in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Notably, that win came after his iconic September 1991 run when he won back-to-back four races. For Gant, age didn’t slow him down. The experience sharpened him. A good car and a tight team kept him dangerous. The late years weren’t a struggle—they were a second wind. Years later, looking back on that run, Gant reflected, “Those were the easiest years I had, the late years because we had a lot better car.”

Now, in 2025, Denny Hamlin is living a version of that same story. At 44, he’s still fighting for wins and delivering them. With back-to-back victories at Martinsville and Darlington, Hamlin is chasing a three-peat at Bristol. But even while riding high, Hamlin has made one thing clear—he won’t be another Mark Martin or Harry Gant.

Denny Hamlin heads into Bristol this weekend chasing something rare: a third straight Cup Series win. After victories at Martinsville and Darlington, the 44-year-old is riding high. But while fans and pundits marvel at his form, Hamlin himself is taking a different view. In a brutally honest moment, he acknowledged the toll age takes, even as he defies it.

At 44, Hamlin is the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, and though he’s winning, he knows every victory could be among his last. But in a media session at Bristol, Hamlin pulled the curtain back on how he sees his future. Asked if he’s defying the aging curve, Hamlin said, “Maybe. But Mark Martin did it when he was 50. He was fantastic. There’s no way I’ll ever make it that far, for sure.”

Hamlin gave credit where it was due. Martin, like him and Harry Gant, won a lot of races but never captured a championship. Martin’s 2009 season stands out—at 50 years old, he won five races and finished second in points. That season came after Martin had already stepped back from full-time racing. Rick Hendrick pulled him out of semi-retirement, and Martin rewarded him with a title run that almost rewrote history.

That’s the kind of longevity Hamlin respects. He compared Martin’s run with other aging drivers like Kevin Harvick, who was still competitive at 48. But Hamlin doesn’t see himself pushing into his 50s. “Everyone’s body, everyone’s mind, everyone’s eyesight—it all goes away at different times. My drive is still there. The performance is still there. So, I’m going to try to just win all I can in this window while it is still there,” he said.

This weekend, that “window” is at Bristol Motor Speedway. And while Hamlin is red-hot, he knows he’s also riding a bit of luck. His win at Darlington came after a timely caution and a solid pit stop. He even said afterward, “There’s two people I love right now: my pit crew and Kyle Larson.” Hamlin knew the race wasn’t his to win on pure speed, but he was in the right spot at the right time. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Meanwhile, his Martinsville win the week before was more dominant. He led 274 laps, showing that when the car is right, he’s still lethal. If Hamlin wins again, he’ll become the first driver over 40 to win three straight since Gant in 1991. But Hamlin isn’t hiding from reality. He knows the window won’t stay open forever. However, as Hamlin continues his late-career push, he’s not just fighting Father Time. He’s also battling the system.

Hamlin calls out red tape culture!

Denny Hamlin isn’t just a driver anymore. He’s also a team co-owner with 23XI Racing. That dual role gives him a broader view of the sport, and lately, he’s been vocal about what he sees as avoidable roadblocks—starting with the horsepower limits in the Cup Series. Currently, NASCAR limits Cup cars to 670 horsepower. Hamlin wants more. He believes the racing would improve if NASCAR gave drivers more power and put more control back in their hands.

On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Hamlin questioned the logic behind the horsepower cap. “When we had 900 horsepower or 750 or 650 as we have now, the engine bills were the same. Were the manufacturers just eating that cost? I don’t think so. I think they’ve been passing it along to the teams the entire time,” he said.

Notably, NASCAR had often called the curtains on raising horsepower citing financial burdens but Hamlin thinks differently. NASCAR has also said a new manufacturer might be entering the sport soon, and they want to keep horsepower lower to make entry easier. “The issue seems to be red tape. Until that happens, I just think—why not give the people what they want?” he added.

He also made a plea, “I don’t see any reason not to go back to the 750 and just try it. Please just try it and see if it puts it back in the driver’s hands.” Hamlin isn’t shouting to hear his own voice. He’s been in the garage long enough to see what works and what doesn’t. He’s fighting to keep the sport exciting while he’s still part of it—whether behind the wheel or behind the scenes.