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Las Vegas, NV – October 23, 2023 – As Denny Hamlin celebrates his 61st career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the veteran driver is looking ahead, not just to the remainder of the current season, but to the potential conclusion of his tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin is currently under contract with the prominent NASCAR organization through the 2027 season, a commitment that leaves 67 more points races on the calendar for him to add to his impressive win total and, crucially, pursue his long-sought Cup Series championship.
Following his win on Sunday, Hamlin offered a statistically-driven projection for his career achievements. He anticipates reaching 67 career victories, a figure derived from his historical performance averages. "Just averages over the years," Hamlin explained, referencing his consistent output. "If you average the last 10 years or something like that, it’s about 3.5 wins a year. That puts me right around that number. That’s assuming that I don’t wake up in 2027 and have a declining skill set. That’s why it’s still a goal. It’s not the pie in the sky, but it’s still going to take some work to do."
This projection places Hamlin in a significant position within NASCAR’s all-time win list. As of his latest victory, he stands tied with his teammate Kyle Busch for eighth place on the all-time wins list. Reaching 67 wins would move him past legends such as Cale Yarborough (69), Dale Earnhardt (76), and Jeff Gordon (93), though Hamlin himself views these higher benchmarks as aspirational rather than attainable.
"I think it’s pie in the sky, realistically, I think that, you know, given the runway, Kyle’s (Busch) career – he’s still got more years to go than I will," Hamlin stated. "He’s capable of running and winning long after I’m gone. I think I’m kind of where I’m at, and where I think I will be, but you just never know." He added, reflecting on the progression of his career goals, "I mean, each win stacks up and, you know, 50 was a goal at one point. So, you just keep moving, keep moving the bar as far as you can. I think that I’ve certainly got more wins than what I would have imagined. It’s just now can we, can we get the big prizes at the end of the year? That’s the only goal left to have other than the Brickyard is certainly one that still is mindful of me personally, of where I’m at."
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At 45 years old, Hamlin continues to demonstrate a high level of competitiveness, making the question of his racing future beyond 2027 a relevant one. When directly asked if he might reconsider his plans to step away from full-time competition after his current contract concludes, Hamlin expressed uncertainty, while also indicating a firm intention to conclude his career at that juncture.
"I’m not really sure," Hamlin admitted. "I think that I’ve given Gibbs enough of a heads up that they’re working on the plans for beyond. So as long as those all go as planned, I would, I still assume that the end of ’27 is it." He elaborated on his ideal scenario for concluding his career: "I just don’t want to go to my last half of the year or year just like, can’t wait to get out. If I could end on notes like we have like seasons like this one is starting, then that would be a successful last year for me."
However, Hamlin also acknowledged the fluid nature of professional racing and the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. "Well, I mean, things always change," he cautioned. "You just never know, but it’s what I would like, but again, I don’t know all the moving parts and pieces beyond what happens between now and bout 20 months from now. So, you just don’t know, but I thought that was a good enough timeline and enough heads up that, that they could make plans." This suggests that while his current intention is to retire at the end of 2027, he remains open to the possibility of external factors influencing that decision.
A significant aspect of Hamlin’s future outlook is his aversion to a "retirement tour." He expressed a clear desire to avoid a prolonged, week-long celebration of his career achievements as he transitions out of the sport. "No, no, I’m good on that," he stated emphatically, indicating a preference for a more conventional conclusion to his racing career.
Denny Hamlin’s career with Joe Gibbs Racing has been marked by consistent performance and a significant number of victories, though the ultimate prize – a NASCAR Cup Series championship – has eluded him thus far. With the 2027 season on the horizon, the focus remains on his current objectives: accumulating more wins, securing that elusive championship, and potentially adding the prestigious Indianapolis 500 to his list of accomplishments, a race he has expressed personal interest in. His statistical projections and his candid reflections on his future suggest a calculated approach to the twilight of his driving career, prioritizing performance and a graceful exit over fanfare. The coming seasons will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans and competitors alike as Hamlin navigates the final chapter of his storied NASCAR journey.
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