LONG POND — Pocono Raceway has been part of Denny Hamlin’s story almost from the beginning.

It was the site of his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, one of the defining tracks of his career and, on Sunday, the place where he paused to thank fans who once greeted him with boos.

“Thank you. Thank you,” Hamlin told the sellout crowd after climbing from his car. “It really means a lot. Seriously. Thank you so much.”

The response was a noticeable change for one of NASCAR’s most polarizing drivers.

“If it’s boos or it’s trolls on social media, that’s fuel for me,” Hamlin said. “They don’t know they’re just fueling me. That’s bad. They’re rooting against me. You’re not doing it the right way.”

Hamlin has never shied away from embracing the role of NASCAR’s villain. But at 45, the veteran has also become one of the sport’s elder statesmen, making Sunday’s warmer reception all the more noticeable.

Hamlin’s relationship with Pocono stretches back to his rookie season, when he arrived at the 2.5-mile track trying to learn one of NASCAR’s most unique layouts.

Looking for guidance, he decided to follow veteran Mark Martin.

“I had no idea about this place,” Hamlin said. “I thought that he was the right guy to follow. Followed him, passed him on lap six and thought, ‘Well, OK, I think I got this place figured out.’ From that point on, we won a lot of races.”

The first of those victories came in 2006, when Hamlin earned the first NASCAR Cup Series win of his career at Pocono after starting from the pole and swept both races that year.

Nearly two decades later, he returned to the Tricky Triangle tied for the most career poles at the track before claiming another top starting spot Sunday to stand alone atop the list.

The success hasn’t faded with time, either. Entering Sunday’s race, Hamlin had finished second or better in each of his previous three Pocono starts and six of his last nine visits to the track.

“When I see my career highlights ... there’s so many Pocono memories,” Hamlin said. “It’s replaying Pocono wins or when I put somebody in the wall for a win or something like that. It’s always been part of kind of my highlight reel.”

Hamlin believes Pocono Raceway has earned its place among NASCAR’s premier venues.

“I wish we got to race here more,” Hamlin said. “I think the place has earned it.”

He pointed to the packed infield and devoted fan base that have become staples of race weekend.

“I come here Saturday morning in the infield. There’s a line going in. It’s packed,” Hamlin said.

He credits the track’s commitment to creating a memorable experience for those fans.

“This place has just absolutely mastered fan experience,” Hamlin said. “It’s a testament to the staff here, the ownership here. It’s just doing a phenomenal job of treating the fans the right way. And that’s why they’re coming out.”

Even at this stage of his career, Hamlin said his priorities remain simple.

“I’m just trying to stack as many wins as possible,” he said. “Points, whatever. Wherever we finish in the championships, whatever. To me, it’s wins, wins, wins.”

Hamlin acknowledged that Pocono has occupied a unique place in his career, from his breakthrough victory as a rookie to the possibility of one day returning for another memorable moment.

“It’d be so cool to ... win it my first year and win it my last year, whenever that is,” Hamlin said.

Nearly two decades after following Mark Martin around Pocono as a rookie trying to figure out the unique track, Hamlin walked away Sunday with another victory — and perhaps an even greater appreciation for the fans who have watched his journey unfold.

For now, the Tricky Triangle has added another chapter to Hamlin’s story.