While a driver getting a win early on during their NASCAR career is seen as a promising sign, not everyone succeeds on the same timeline. Sometimes, it takes more than 100 starts to reach victory lane, but Denny Hamlin is against drivers using inexperience as an excuse for that.

Over the years, there have been several big names in the sport who have won their maiden Cup series race after their 100th start. Those include Joe Nemechek, Michael McDowell. Ricky Craven, Sterling Marlin, and Michael Waltrip.

While the Joe Gibbs Racing driver did not expliticitly refer to those names, in Monday's episode of his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, while discussing Corey Heim's impressive triumph at San Diego, co-host Jared Allen brought up people talking about Heim not needing 100 starts to win after he goes full-time.

"That hundred starts thing is for losers," Hamlin said. "I don't believe in that. I think it's for people that are just trying to buy time. I'm sorry. I know it's probably unpopular opinion."

The No. 11 driver further explained how there are a few exceptions, like Chase Elliott, who have been in the running to win before their 100th career start but have missed. He also spoke about his JGR teammate Ty Gibbs, who took 131 race starts before getting his first win, adding:

"No problem. Let's bring up my teammate. He has shown signs that he was on the cusp of winning many, many times. He was running in the top five many times. So, yeah, you're able to say, 'Yeah, it took Ty Gibbs a little bit to win his first, but it was way overdue.'"

"Others are using it is a 'You know, I don't have a whole lot of experience, and by start 100, we're going to start contending.' I don't buy into that," Hamlin added. 

Corey Heim won his first career Cup race, the Anduril 250, on Sunday. While this might not seem like a huge deal otherwise, for Heim, he got his maiden win in just 13 career Cup series starts. It is also worth noting that the 23-year-old currently drives part-time for Hamlin's co-owned team 23XI.

Corey Heim is a 'generational talent' in Denny Hamlin's eyes

At the end of May, 23XI announced it was promoting Heim as their third full-time driver for the upcoming 2027 season to replace the outgoing Reily Herbst.

After his signing, while addressing the media, 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin hailed the promise Heim has shown, saying (via Cup Scene on YouTube):

"Generational drivers only come by every now and then. I firmly believe we have one here. Really excited about what he's going to bring our team and the performance that he's going to bring. Looking forward to working with him in the future." 

In 94 Truck Series starts, Heim has triumphed 26 times. Moreover, in the San Diego Cup race, he showed that with the right machinery under him, he can perform on par with experienced teammates like Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace.

To an extent, he has justified the faith Denny Hamlin and 23XI has placed in him this season and for the future. 

Follow the Daytona Racing Digest for more NASCAR updates!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak