NASCAR
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Has New Anchor Partner in Progressive Insurance
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Unveiled Tuesday, Joe Gibbs Racing welcomes in a brand new sponsor for Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE. Progressive Insurance will be on board for 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, starting Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Progressive’s imaging is now a constant presence across Hamlin’s car, firesuit, and his team’s gear.
“Progressive is a premiere national brand and a leader in the insurance industry. We are thrilled to have them partner with Denny (Hamlin) and our No. 11 team,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “We all know that NASCAR fans love being active, and on the move, whether it is in their cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats or recreational vehicles, and we look forward to raising awareness on how Progressive can protect them and their families.
Progressive fills a very glaring vacancy that was left with the No. 11 team over the offseason. 2024 saw the departure of longtime anchor sponsor FedEx from this team, ending a partnership that dated further back than Hamlin’s rookie season (2005). Recent partner Mavis Tire also left the No. 11, after seeing three wins over the past two seasons.
In short, this blue and white scheme will quickly become a very common sight. Past Homestead on Sunday, Progressive will also be Hamlin’s primary sponsor at Martinsville Speedway (March 30), Bristol Motor Speedway (April 13), Talladega Superspeedway (April 27), Texas Motor Speedway (May 4), Kansas Speedway (May 11), the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway (May 18), Nashville Superspeedway (June 1), Pocono Raceway (June 22), the Chicago Street Race (July 6), Dover Motor Speedway (July 20), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 27), Watkins Glen International (August 10), Richmond Raceway (August 16), World Wide Technology Raceway (September 7), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (September 21), the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (October 5), and Phoenix Raceway (November 2).
“When the opportunity arose for us to be a part of the Joe Gibbs Racing family and support renowned NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, we were all in,” said Sean Freeman, Progressive’s Business Leader of Direct Media. “We love JGR’s pursuit of excellence and Hamlin’s proven success on the track. Together, our marketing and their driving styles align well and can’t wait to see the No. 11 in action.”
Hamlin is currently in the midst of his his 20th full-time NASCAR Cup Series season. At the time of this writing, Hamlin is tied for 12th on the all-time wins list with 54 victories, including three wins last year. His Cup Series career has included Crown Jewel victories in the Daytona 500 (2016, 2019, 2020), Southern 500 (2010, 2017, 2021), and the Coca-Cola 600 (2022). Already early in this new season, Hamlin is 12th in the Cup Series standings with a best finish of second at Phoenix Raceway.
Progressive does have a brief NASCAR history in the not-so-distant past. They were on board the No. 6 Roush-Fenway (now RFK) Racing Ford of Ryan Newman for two races in summer 2020. Between Atlanta and Pocono, the Progressive colors saw a best result of 14th.
“This is a huge deal for our No. 11 team and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Hamlin. “We’re really looking forward to having Progressive on board and being able to deliver for them on and off the racetrack. For me, it’s exciting to team up with a brand like Progressive that is so innovative with their marketing and the different ways you seem them activate. I can’t wait to get going with them starting this weekend.”
Hamlin is still a top-flight caliber driver very capable of chasing multiple wins and championships in 2025. A win or two may come in short time with Progressive. Hamlin remains on his self-assigned goal of 60 Cup checkered flags. It may become a very common occurrence to see the blue No. 11 up front and in contention.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Joe Gibbs Racing
