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Denny Hamlin gives nod to Ohio State with ‘11 against the world’ flag after Martinsville win

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•03/30/25
Denny Hamlin
Photo by Jim Dedmon / USA TODAY Sports

Denny Hamlin ended about an 11-month winning drought, taking the checkered flag at Martinsville. It was his sixth win at Martinsville, and he had something a little new to show off after the win.

After doing a lengthy burnout and parking his car, Hamlin climbed out of his window and stood on the car. He then asked for a flag.

Someone in his crew came over and handed him a blue flag, matching his car’s scheme. It read “11 Against The World.” Denny Hamlin explained the meaning in a post-race interview on FS1.

“Well my buddies, my Ohio State fans that I hung out with at the end of last year, we always had the Ohio State against the world,” Hamlin said. “So now it’s 11 against the world.”

As for the race itself, Denny Hamlin was dominant from start to finish. He led a whopping 274 laps at Martinsville, the fifth-most laps he has ever led in a Cup Series race.

In the final 20 laps or so, he pulled away from the rest of the field with ease. That made it an easy finish. Hamlin came away praising his crew.

“You know, Chris Gayle, all the engineers, the pit crew, everybody really on that wall right there just deciding that they were going to come here with a different approach than what we’ve been over the last few years,” Hamlin said. “And it was just amazing. The car was great. It did everything I needed it to do. Just so happy to win with Chris and get 55. It’s awesome.”

The win was Denny Hamlin’s first with new crew chief Chris Gayle. For a long time, Hamlin was partnered up with Chris Gabehart. But Joe Gibbs Racing mixed things up this offseason in an attempt to produce better results.

Hamlin said the transition has been extremely smooth. He noted there have only been a few minor changes with Gayle running the show.

“Yeah, I mean he’s been such a soldier to come in here to this 11 team and kind of learn our style,” Hamlin said. “Then over the last few weeks just putting his final touches on it. It’s really been a great mesh. Our relationship’s getting better. Man, really happy to get a win with him back here in Martinsville where I spent so many years racing late models and what not. Gosh, I love winning here.”