Column By: HOLLY CAIN / NASCAR – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The number 11 has certainly played a major role in the modern DAYTONA 500.
Denny Hamlin has driven the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to three wins (2016, ’19 and ’20) in the Great American Race – most among all active drivers and tied for third on the all-time list with Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon.
Hamlin is the third driver to hoist a DAYTONA 500 trophy alongside the No. 11 in Victory Lane and that distinguished group includes the legendary Mario Andretti (1967) and Cale Yarborough (1977).
Only NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty’s No. 43 has more Daytona 500 wins (seven).
The No. 11, No. 21 and No. 28 are second on the list with five victories per car number. Hamlin has a shot at distinguishing himself and that No. 11 in the Feb. 18 DAYTONA 500 to claim his fourth win tying him with Yarborough
