Denny Hamlin Wins Daytona 500 for Toyota

Feb 23, 2016

Toyota Racing started racing season this year with a historical win during this past Sunday’s 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season-opener in Daytona. In what is now the closest finish in Daytona 500 history, The Joe Gibbs Racing No.11 FedEx Camry driven by Denny Hamlin reached the finish line 0.010 seconds before Camry driver, Martin Truex.

This was an exciting win for both Denny Hamlin, who has now clinched a spot in the Chase championship playoff, and Toyota Racing. Toyota has been gained over 80 victories since their first appearance in the Sprint Cup Series back in 2007. Hamlin has been a big part of this success; since becoming a Toyota driver in 2008, he has won 24 of his 27 NSCS victories.

“This is the greatest race in America,” said David Wilson, president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). “For our company to have won it makes it that special. The reason we came into the sport was to connect with the American fans, to talk about how we build every Camry in America. I still remember what resonated my first time at Daytona, this moniker – ‘The Great American Race’ – as we were looking at why we should come into NASCAR. That was a big part of it – to have a shot at winning ‘The Great American Race,’ to be able to talk to the incredible, powerful fan base that NASCAR has. How do you quantify the value? It’s truly stunning and special.”

Make sure to watch the next NASCAR race which will be at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 28th and check back with our blog for more Toyota Racing updates!

“Denny Hamlin Captures Toyota’s First Daytona 500 Victory | Corporate.” Denny Hamlin Captures Toyota’s First Daytona 500 Victory | Corporate. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/hamlin+daytona+500+2016.htm>.