2012 recap: Hamlin finished sixth in the standings, and his five victories tied him with Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson for the most wins in 2012. Hamlin won at Phoenix in March in only his second race with Darian Grubb as his crew chief.

Hamlin also won the spring race at Kansas before earning back-to-back victories at Bristol and Atlanta. He called his September victory in New Hampshire, tweeting he would win the race.