Kristin Buntain is the former long-term girlfriend of Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver of the #11 FedEx Kinko's Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevy in the Busch Series.
Kristin and Denny became friends in their sophomore year at Manchester High in Chesterfield, Va. After graduation, Kristin had planned to go to Bryant and Stratton College, but prior to the start of the 2005 season, she quit her job and relocated to NASCARolina with Denny in support of his career choices. In addition to girlfriend duties, she also helps with the business side of things.
Kristin: "I always knew Denny would somehow make it in this whole racing thing, but I thought maybe we could still live in Richmond. I never imagined moving away from home. Never.
"But I did. I left my job I loved. I left my family. But the alternative would be to stay here and not be with him every day. After that long a period of time being together, I knew I was going to go. I haven't regretted it."
Denny: "It gives me someone to lean back on, for sure. We've been doing it ever since I was just racing at Southside in'99, so she definitely got used to the lifestyle of it. I definitely feel like I need someone, whether it be her or my mom, to keep me grounded for sure." [Richmond Times Dispatch Feb. 12, 2006]
Kristin and Denny dated for eight years before breaking up recently in July.
Kristin, 24, is the daughter of Richard and Peggy Buntain from Denny's hometown of Chesterfield, Va. She has an older sister, Laura.
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This post was updated on Aug. 22, 2007.
