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Charlotte, NC – Veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin has officially confirmed his intention to continue racing through the 2026 season, a decision made amidst the emotional aftermath of a narrowly missed championship opportunity at Phoenix Raceway. Hamlin, a prominent figure in the sport for nearly two decades, revealed his commitment and shared his candid reflections on the season finale and his future during a recent episode of his podcast, "Actions Detrimental."
The 43-year-old driver, currently under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), stated that had he secured his elusive first Cup Series title at Phoenix, he would have seriously considered retiring at the end of the 2024 season, despite having two years remaining on his current deal. This hypothetical retirement would have marked a dramatic departure, leveraging a championship victory as the ultimate send-off.
"Listen, I would have begged Joe (Gibbs) to let me quit had I won that race," Hamlin admitted on his podcast. "I would have. I would have, just because it would have been the perfect way for me to go out. 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 sting of the championship loss, where Hamlin led a commanding 208 of the 312 laps before a controversial pit strategy call in overtime ultimately cost him the race, remains palpable. The incident, which saw him lose track position and finish 11th, has undoubtedly cast a shadow over his offseason.
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Hamlin’s decision to continue racing also comes with a nuanced perspective on NASCAR’s championship format. While he acknowledges that the series is not moving away from its playoff system, the fact that the 2025 season will not feature a single-race shootout for the title, as had been speculated, offers a slight shift in the competitive landscape. However, the immediate proximity of the offseason still leaves him feeling detached from the sport.
"It doesn’t make me want to race right now in this moment anymore," Hamlin stated. "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 reservations, Hamlin has already begun fulfilling his contractual obligations, including sponsorship appearances for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is slated to return to the cockpit of the No. 11 Toyota, a car he has driven for JGR since 2006, for the season opener at Bowman Gray Stadium in February 2025.
The past year has presented Hamlin with a confluence of demanding personal and professional challenges. Beyond the racetrack, he is navigating the terminal illness of his father, actively engaged in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, and managing the responsibilities that come with being a 45-year-old athlete with a finite window of competitive opportunity.
"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 immense pressure and relentless schedule have even led Hamlin to ponder the long-term physical toll of his career. "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."
However, amidst the personal tribulations and competitive disappointments, Hamlin identified a silver lining: a perceived increase in respect from his peers and the NASCAR fanbase. Historically a polarizing figure, Hamlin believes that his near-championship at Phoenix garnered a level of empathy, even from his staunchest critics.
"I think that the fans made it a lot easier," Hamlin said. "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 was referring to the championship race where Kyle Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, ultimately secured the title. Hamlin acknowledged the strategic decisions made by Larson’s team, recognizing the inherent competitive nature of the sport.
"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 2024 season saw Hamlin achieve three wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 21 top-10 finishes in 36 races, a testament to his consistent performance throughout the year. His career accolades include 53 Cup Series victories, placing him 12th on the all-time wins list, and 22 playoff appearances. Despite his impressive statistics, the coveted Cup Series championship has remained elusive, with his best finishes being second in 2010 and the aforementioned near-miss in 2023.
Joe Gibbs Racing, one of NASCAR’s premier organizations, has consistently fielded competitive equipment for Hamlin. The team, with its rich history of championships and driver development, is expected to continue providing Hamlin with the resources needed to contend for victories and, potentially, that elusive title in the coming seasons. The organization’s strategic planning for future driver transitions is a critical component of their long-term success, and Hamlin’s confirmed commitment through 2026 provides a clear timeframe for these discussions.
As the NASCAR landscape continues to evolve, with new regulations, car designs, and a shifting driver demographic, Hamlin’s experience and continued presence remain significant. His vocal engagement on his podcast and his willingness to address the emotional and strategic complexities of the sport offer a valuable insight into the mindset of a top-tier competitor. While the 2023 season ended in disappointment, Hamlin’s resolve to compete and his commitment to Joe Gibbs Racing through 2026 signal his continued pursuit of ultimate success in the NASCAR Cup Series. The focus now shifts to the 2025 season, where Hamlin will aim to put the Phoenix heartbreak behind him and once again vie for a championship.
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