When it comes to what makes a car iconic in NASCAR, the answer is pretty simple: it’s all about the driver behind the wheel and, of course, the number on the side. And when we talk about iconic numbers, #11 is at the top of the list. Currently driven by Denny Hamlin, this number has a rich history and a strong legacy in the world of NASCAR.
The #11 car has been a part of NASCAR since its inception in 1949. It was first driven by NASCAR Hall of Famer, Ned Jarrett, who won the championship in 1961. The number has since been driven by some of the biggest names in the sport, including Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Terry Labonte. But it was in 1992 when the #11 car truly made its mark in NASCAR history.
That year, the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. joined forces with Joe Gibbs Racing and took over the #11 car. This was a significant move for both Earnhardt and the team, as it marked the first time that Earnhardt had driven for a team other than Richard Childress Racing. The #11 car became synonymous with Earnhardt’s name, and he went on to win his first and only Daytona 500 in that car.
But it wasn’t just Earnhardt’s success that solidified the #11 car’s place in NASCAR history. In 1993, the car was driven by another NASCAR legend, Mark Martin, who won four races that season. And in 1994, it was driven by none other than Jeff Gordon, who went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship that year. These back-to-back successes only added to the prestige of the #11 car.
Since then, the #11 car has been driven by some of the most talented drivers in the sport, including Jason Leffler, Denny Hamlin, and most recently, Martin Truex Jr. But it was Hamlin who truly made the #11 car his own. He joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006 and has been driving the #11 car ever since. In his 15 years with the team, Hamlin has won 44 races, including three Daytona 500s and two Southern 500s.
But it’s not just Hamlin’s success on the track that has solidified the #11 car’s iconic status. It’s also the team behind the car – Joe Gibbs Racing. Founded by former NFL coach Joe Gibbs, the team has been a dominant force in NASCAR since its inception in 1992. With a total of five Cup Series championships and over 200 wins, Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the most successful teams in the sport.
And now, as NASCAR prepares to introduce the Next Gen car in the 2022 season, Joe Gibbs Racing has made a significant change to the #11 car’s livery layout. The team’s president, Dave Alpern, recently revealed that the new car’s configuration compelled them to make this change.
In an interview, Alpern said, “The Next Gen car is a completely different car from what we’ve been running. It’s a new body style, new chassis, new everything. And with that, we felt like it was time to make a change to our livery layout as well.”
The new livery layout features a sleek and modern design, with a bold red and black color scheme. The number 11 is prominently displayed on the side of the car, along with the team’s sponsors – FedEx and Toyota. The overall look is a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, paying homage to the #11 car’s rich history while also embracing the future of NASCAR.
Alpern also added that the team wanted to make sure the #11 car stood out on the track, and the new livery layout accomplishes just that. He said, “We wanted to make sure that when fans see the #11 car on the track, they know it’s the #11 car. We wanted to make a statement with the new design, and I think we’ve achieved that.”
The new livery layout has received a positive response from fans and the NASCAR community. Many have praised the team for their bold and modern approach, while also staying true to the #11 car’s iconic status. And with Denny Hamlin behind the wheel, there’s no doubt that the #11 car will continue to be a force