He's a threat to win this week's Goodyear 400 at the legendary Darlington, where Hamlin is known for finding a unique entry into Turn 1 and using it to his advantage. He owns four career wins at the "Too Tough to Tame" track, which has been Darlington's reputation all the way back to its first race in 1950.

Picking up his first Martinsville win in a decade, Denny Hamlin was a happy man after Sunday. He did have one nitpick for Goodyear. The NASCAR driver has been very happy with the tires this season but had a gripe to make.

To a familiar mixture of cheers and boos, Denny Hamlin climbed onto his No. 11 Toyota’s doorsill and unfurled a blue flag emblazoned with “11 Against The World.” Waving it at the Martinsville Speedway crowd,