Denny Hamlin took the 63rd NASCAR Cup Series victory of his career at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday and says this one was particularly special for several reasons.

First and foremost, Hamlin was required to come from the back of the field for the second consecutive week to take the win, with his car having had unapproved adjustments made to it after picking up damage in practice on Saturday.

More importantly though, Hamlin's victory also saw him tie Kyle Busch on the all-time Cup Series win list, with both drivers now sharing ninth spot.

To honor Busch, Hamlin flew a flag with the number 18 (Busch's number while they were teammates at JGR) on while doing his burnouts at the track, with the numbers combining Hamlin's stylized 11 and Busch's stylized 8 used at RCR.

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Denny Hamlin on why Michigan win was so special

Speaking to the media after his win, Hamlin was asked where this ranked among his victories given he matched Busch's record and that special moment post-race, and he admitted it was right up there for several reasons.

"It’s a special one, no doubt about it, special for a lot of reasons. Back to front again, back to back week to week, back to back season to season here at this track. So it’s super special from that standpoint," Hamlin explained.

"Then there was a buildup. I knew that flag was sitting in the pit box area. I knew the hat was waiting for the moment. So it’s, you know, I don’t know why, but over the last few weeks, like I get nervous when I know that like we have a really, really good shot at winning.

"I didn’t have very much faith the first 50, but just as we started chipping away - and there was wrecks. Again, call it out, there was some wrecks that took out some really strong contenders. That was helpful. But I just, I feel it. So it’s just there’s been some buildup. I’ve been getting nervous race mornings a little bit because, man, this is going to be a great shot to win.

"Then I knew, I’m thinking that whole last run, are they going to have it at the pit box? Are they going to bring it to me? I’m just thinking about all these things that really don’t matter, but I’m also very nervous that, like, man, I don’t want to lose this one."

Hamlin: Good time to match Busch record

The JGR star continued: "It’s a good time because it’s not far removed, right?

"If I would have tied him like a year from now, I don’t know that it has as much recognition as what it would be because it’s been so soon.

"So it just, it means a lot more than many of the other wins just because of all those things that I mentioned."

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