After taking the checkered flag at Sunday’s Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin’s first thought might have been one of satisfaction in winning the iconic race for the second time in four years, or simply relief at having avoided the late-race crashes that took out much of the field. Instead, Hamlin immediately pointed to a sticker on his No. 11 Toyota that honored the memory of the late J.D. Gibbs.

“This one’s for J.D.,” Hamlin said.