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Michigan International Speedway – Denny Hamlin, at 45 years old, declared he is currently experiencing his "peak competitive form" behind the wheel of a NASCAR Cup Series car. The veteran driver secured his 63rd career victory on Sunday at Michigan, a win that not only ties him with Kyle Busch for ninth on the all-time wins list but also marks his second consecutive victory of the season, a feat he last achieved in the spring of the previous year.
Hamlin’s triumph at Michigan brings his season total to three wins, or four if the non-points All-Star Race victory at Dover is included. This string of successes has prompted discussions about his current performance level, with Hamlin unequivocally stating that this is his most potent competitive phase. When questioned whether this current performance surpasses his celebrated seasons of 2010, 2019, or 2020, Hamlin’s affirmative nod left no room for doubt.
The secret to this sustained excellence, according to Hamlin, lies in the accumulation of experience. He drew a parallel with teammate Ty Gibbs, who, with a fraction of Hamlin’s career starts, expressed a growing understanding of his car’s needs and performance. Hamlin elaborated on this advantage: "Imagine having four times as many starts as you have. That’s the advantage I have every single week. He feels comfortable where he’s at, but just add another 15 years of experience, and you just, you know the transitions of the track and like what happens when it gets cloudy, what happens when it gets sunny, what happens when the wind is this direction, that direction – all those things you just learn over time. It’s why we have the upper hand right now."
Beyond personal experience, the performance of Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) machinery is a significant factor. Toyota currently holds a notable advantage across the field, and Hamlin’s No. 11 car, prepared by crew chief Chris Gayle, has consistently outperformed its JGR and 23XI Racing stablemates. This suggests a collective strength within the Toyota camp, with Hamlin at the forefront.
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The team’s owner, Joe Gibbs, expressed profound admiration for Hamlin’s current trajectory, stating, "I know you guys, and all of us, we know how tough NASCAR is. We know these are the best people in the world racing these cars and Denny doing this at this stage of his career, it might be the most exceptional thing he’s done." Gibbs further highlighted Hamlin’s unwavering commitment: "Most athletes, they get to a point where they have everything they need (financially) and they just lose their drive and passion. What we’re witnessing with Denny is the opposite of that. He’s full-blown into the simulator, works extremely hard in our meetings. He means so much to the other young drivers. Just hearing him describe what happens during the race, the way he looks at things… He’s invaluable really."
Hamlin’s current contract is set to conclude after the 2027 season, a timeframe that aligns with his previously stated intention to retire. However, the driver’s current form has ignited discussions about a potential extension. Heather Gibbs, daughter-in-law of Joe Gibbs, has reportedly been attempting to persuade Hamlin to reconsider his retirement plans.
Joe Gibbs himself is actively pursuing this possibility, stating, "I joke with him, we have a five-year deal ready, but really no, I’m dead serious. From my standpoint, any athlete that is really performing like that, I’ve had athletes at different times in football come to me and say ‘hey coach, should I come back and try it,’ and I always give the same advice. When you’re still performing that way, you never look back in life. So, I’ll probably say the same thing to Denny, but yeah, we reached out with that two-year deal (through 2027) and I think we want Denny to stay with us." When pressed on the possibility of Hamlin continuing beyond 2027, Gibbs offered a measured response: "Never say never is a good way to put it, yes."
Hamlin, upon hearing of Gibbs’ remarks, responded with characteristic humor, playfully dismissing the "five-year contract" as a fabrication. However, he acknowledged the gravity of the decision should his performance remain at this elevated level. "I think if — and that’s a big if — like I’m at this point and this fast at this point next year, it would be a tough, tough decision," Hamlin admitted. "That’s not saying that I would, but it would be a tough decision because, again, I’m planning for the downfall that I know will come." He referenced the inevitable decline in physical attributes such as eyesight, reaction time, and the onset of physical pain, noting that the latter is already a present factor.
Despite the allure of potential future milestones, Hamlin expressed a grounded perspective on career achievements. He acknowledged that surpassing Dale Earnhardt’s 76 wins is not a realistic goal. "It was certainly a goal to get to 63 or 64 as of a couple years ago, or a year ago, because I knew that would put me by myself in ninth," Hamlin stated. "I ain’t getting to eighth, so what am I doing? You know what I mean? I’m content. If I quit tomorrow, I swear I will feel no more gratified than if I go out there and win 72 races — it makes no difference. Nobody cares. You’ll be forgotten within six months of when you’re not here. I might as well just enjoy life while I’m still somewhat young and be able to be there a little bit more for the kids and what they’re doing." This sentiment underscores a prioritization of life beyond the race track, even amidst peak performance.
However, the "never say never" sentiment remains a tangible possibility, particularly given Hamlin’s current standing as a championship contender. He is actively pursuing the regular-season title and the top seed for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Currently, he trails points leader Tyler Reddick by 51 points. This gap narrowed significantly at Michigan after Reddick was involved in a late-race incident.
Hamlin reflected on the championship battle, acknowledging the role of fortune: "Listen, I knew the only way we ever could catch him is he was going to have to have bad luck. I said it weeks ago. He had bad luck today. We were in the same wreck. We were turned around backwards. Luckily, no one hit us in turn one. Our car wasn’t very good, and we just, we overcame it." He anticipates a continued tight race for the regular-season crown, noting that Reddick remains in a strong position but that continued strong performances from Hamlin will keep the competition "interesting and honest."
The victory at Michigan represents a significant milestone in Hamlin’s illustrious career, further solidifying his legacy as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats. His current performance level, coupled with the ongoing success of the Joe Gibbs Racing organization and the robust development of Toyota’s Cup Series program, suggests that Hamlin’s "final form" might extend well beyond his initial retirement plans, offering fans the prospect of witnessing more history in the making.
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