Denny Hamlin used his FireKeepers Casino 400 win as a chance to honor the late Ned Jarrett, one of NASCAR’s most respected champions.
Jarrett died on June 4 at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as a two-time Cup Series champion and Hall of Fame broadcaster.
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Hamlin, who now carries the famous No. 11, made clear that Jarrett’s place in that number’s history still matters.
Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images
Denny Hamlin says Ned Jarrett was the original No. 11
While Cale Yarborough is often associated with the No. 11, Hamlin believes Jarrett was the first to truly define the number through his results.
“If you listen to MJ, he’ll say that Cale’s the original 11, right? But if you know the sport and you know the history, you know that Ned was the one that came onto the scene, and the guy showed up. He won… Fourteen laps. Like, come on.”
That line referenced Jarrett’s remarkable 1965 Southern 500 victory at Darlington, where he won by 14 laps.
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Jarrett finished his Cup Series career with 50 victories and two championships, before becoming one of NASCAR’s most recognizable broadcasting voices.
For Hamlin, that combination of dominance and storytelling is what makes Jarrett’s legacy so enduring.
Jarrett’s voice shaped Hamlin’s connection to NASCAR history
Hamlin also reached out to Dale Jarrett after Ned’s passing, sharing his condolences with the family.
For Hamlin, the connection was not only about statistics. He grew up listening to Jarrett’s broadcasts and learning about the sport’s roots from one of its great voices.
“I just will never forget that voice. Him and BP and all them, that’s how my introduction into the past started. Just, again, very much like the Busch family, you just try to do your best to pay your respects to him in a difficult time for the family.”
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That tribute felt especially meaningful after a No. 11 car took the win at Michigan.
Jarrett’s impact went far beyond his wins and championships. His second career helped connect younger drivers and fans to NASCAR’s past.
Hamlin’s words served as a reminder that the No. 11 is more than a number, it is a lineage shaped by one of the sport’s most respected champions.
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