Hamlin's latest run 'most impressive thing he's done,' says Gibbs

Joe Gibbs has watched Denny Hamlin do some great things behind the wheel of his Toyota Camry through the years, but the driver's most recent stretch is perhaps at the top of the list.

Hamlin won for the third straight time in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday at Pocono Raceway. It was the first time Hamlin had won three consecutive races in his career.

“I said to him that I think what he’s doing now, in our 20 years, is probably the most impressive thing he’s done,” Gibbs said in victory lane. “At his age and all the things that he’s got going for himself, he still has a drive to really go after it. So, I just really appreciate that.

“I appreciate him and us being together for this long; he’s been so faithful and loyal to us, and it’s all these people who have built this. I’m just along for the ride.”

Gibbs signed Hamlin in the early 2000s on the advice of one of his late sons, JD. Hamlin had impressed Gibbs on the local short tracks. Soon enough, Hamlin was getting a shot in the No. 11 Toyota late in the 2005 season, and a year later was a full-time Cup Series driver.

In that first season, Hamlin won twice. Both came at Pocono Raceway.

Hamlin has now won eight times at Pocono, four times this season, and 64 times in his career. He turned 45 years old in November.

“I remember all the way back when Denny first started, he was something here under the old pavement, Gibbs said. “I remember a couple of times some wild things happened, and he still won. He just really has a feel for this place that shows up.”