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Denny Hamlin has officially confirmed his intention to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series through the 2026 season, putting an end to speculation surrounding his future following a dramatic championship loss at Phoenix Raceway. The veteran driver, a perennial contender with Joe Gibbs Racing, addressed the emotional aftermath of the season finale on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, revealing that a victory would have prompted an immediate retirement, despite having two years remaining on his current contract.
"Listen, I would have begged Joe (Gibbs) to let me quit had I won that race," Hamlin stated on the podcast, his first public comments since the decisive overtime pit stop that ultimately cost him the championship. "I would have, just because it would have been the perfect way for me to go out." He elaborated on the team’s need for a succession plan, acknowledging that a championship win would have accelerated those discussions. "But I, they’re not ready for that yet. They have to have time to work on my succession plan, and obviously, we set a date out now to at least, you know, come to when that is. We know what’s the lifeline left. But I would have certainly really, really asked him to let me end on that one had it gone well."
The nature of NASCAR’s championship format, which culminates in a single, winner-take-all race, remains a point of contention for many within the sport. While NASCAR has indicated a potential shift in its championship structure for the upcoming season, the immediate sting of the Phoenix outcome has left Hamlin with a temporary disinterest in the sport. "It doesn’t make me want to race right now in this moment anymore," Hamlin admitted. "They could say 36 races, which they’re not. Get over it, you’re going to get playoffs. But it’s still, the offseason is still so fresh, I want nothing to do with racing right now. I’ve got to get some more time."
Despite these sentiments, Hamlin has already fulfilled sponsorship obligations for Joe Gibbs Racing and is slated to return to the No. 11 Toyota Camry when the 2025 season kicks off. The emotional and physical toll of the recent season, however, has been significant. Beyond the championship disappointment, Hamlin is navigating the terminal illness of his father, an ongoing antitrust lawsuit he has filed against NASCAR, and the general wear and tear of a demanding racing career at 45 years old.
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"This has been quite the year," Hamlin reflected. "I mean, I’m so looking forward to January 1st. Just because, I mean, obviously this year, I’m on track, off track, ownership, new baby, dad, race for championship, lawsuit. It just was, it was taxing for sure. I don’t think I could redo 2025 again. No way." The sustained pressure of his multifaceted involvement in the sport has led him to express concerns about his long-term well-being. "That all, I don’t know, I just feel like I’m doing damage to my internals that I don’t know about," he explained. "Does that make any sense? You can’t just have all the stress and it not eventually take a toll."
On a more positive note, Hamlin believes the dramatic championship battle has fostered a newfound respect from both his competitors and the fanbase. Historically a polarizing figure in NASCAR, the circumstances of his latest defeat appeared to garner a degree of empathy, even from his staunchest critics.
"I think that the fans made it a lot easier," Hamlin commented. "I mean, the competitors made it easier. You know, I got to give so much appreciation to Kyle Larson and how gracious he was during all this. Very humble during all this and certainly during the banquet, giving myself and my team the props that we did deserve in that final race. He did nothing wrong. His team knew that they had to do something to try to win."
Hamlin acknowledged the strategic decisions made by the championship-winning team, led by Kyle Larson. "You know, they played the game as it was meant to be played. So, we definitely have a deserving champion in the 5 team, they scored more points than anyone else the entire year. There’s, you know, I don’t think anyone should ever question the deservingness of Kyle Larson’s championship because he definitely did."
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season saw Denny Hamlin finish third in the championship standings, marking his fifth top-five finish in the final standings without securing a title. Throughout his career, Hamlin has accumulated 53 Cup Series victories, placing him 12th on the all-time wins list. He has been a consistent contender for Joe Gibbs Racing since his debut in 2006, leading the team in laps led on numerous occasions. The team itself, Joe Gibbs Racing, has a storied history in NASCAR, with four Cup Series championships and over 200 wins since its inception in 1993.
The context of Hamlin’s decision to continue racing through 2026 is set against a backdrop of significant personal and professional demands. His father’s health, coupled with his legal challenge against NASCAR, adds layers of complexity to his already demanding schedule. The antitrust lawsuit, filed in December 2023, centers on allegations of monopolistic practices and stifling competition within the sport. This legal entanglement, alongside his racing commitments and personal life, underscores the immense pressure Hamlin has been under.
Hamlin’s role as a team owner in the newly formed 23XI Racing, co-owned with basketball legend Michael Jordan, also adds another dimension to his involvement in NASCAR. While he has publicly stated his commitment to driving the No. 11 for Joe Gibbs Racing, his ownership stake in a competing organization highlights his broader influence and ambition within the sport.
The upcoming 2025 season will see the Cup Series return to a more traditional 36-race schedule, with the championship race format still under review by NASCAR officials. The outcome of these discussions could potentially influence the dynamics of future championship battles, though Hamlin’s immediate focus remains on navigating the current season and preparing for the challenges ahead. His confirmation of his 2026 status provides a degree of stability for Joe Gibbs Racing and its sponsors, while also allowing Hamlin to continue pursuing his long-sought championship title.
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