Hamlin Navigates Physical and Personal Storms as Re-Torn Shoulder Complicates 2026 Season Campaign

Daytona Beach, FL – Denny Hamlin, a seasoned veteran of the NASCAR Cup Series with 60 career victories, is facing an arduous path into the 2026 season, grappling with a re-torn right shoulder that requires him to defer surgical intervention until after the championship concludes. The physical setback is the latest in a tumultuous winter that has tested Hamlin both personally and professionally.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver confirmed that the injury occurred during a fall while navigating the remnants of his parents’ home, which was destroyed in a house fire. This devastating event not only claimed the life of his father but also resulted in his mother’s hospitalization. The fall, which re-injured the same shoulder Hamlin had surgically repaired following the 2023 season, happened late enough in the off-season that immediate surgical repair was not feasible without jeopardizing his ability to compete. Consequently, Hamlin is managing the injury, aiming to maintain range of motion and strength until he can undergo surgery in November, immediately after the 2026 season concludes.

"The easy thing to say is poor me, but it’s like, I still have a fantastic life and a great family," Hamlin stated during a press conference leading up to the Cookout Clash. "A lot of people go through tragedies. While what happened to my family in the off-season was highly publicized, there are probably tons of those stories of crew members that it happened in their family and no one really knows about it. So everyone had to go through tough moments and I think those are kind of building moments for your character, how you respond to it."

This ongoing physical challenge is layered upon a series of significant professional events that have shaped Hamlin’s recent off-season. The close of the 2025 season was marked by a heart-wrenching defeat in the NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix. Hamlin had dominated the event, only to see a late caution flag, a subsequent pit stop, and a crucial restart allow Kyle Larson to secure his second series title.

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Following the championship race, Hamlin, as co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan and alongside Front Row Motorsports, initiated an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The legal proceedings, which commenced on behalf of the ownership groups, concluded with a settlement nine days into the trial. This legal battle, while ultimately resolved, added another layer of pressure and complexity to an already demanding period.

Hamlin’s approach to the upcoming season, with a partially torn shoulder that he must manage rather than fully repair, introduces a significant variable into his performance outlook. "It’s just a matter of making sure I’m doing everything right outside of the car," Hamlin explained. "I have to keep the range good and keep the strength good to get to that November date. I’m going to have to limit some of the physical things I enjoy doing because I have to keep priorities. I’m going to miss out on some fun things I like to do because it’s going to aggravate it. The tear, it’s kind of just hanging on. It’s torn but it has some parts and pieces hanging on that I need to stay intact for the full year."

This unique physical constraint leads Hamlin to believe the 2026 season will be characterized by extremes. "I don’t think there is much of a middle road there," he commented. "It’s going to go really one way or the other and it’s up to me decide which turn I take. My focus right now is keeping this thing on the right track and making sure I spend these last couple of years accomplishing everything that I want to, uh, before my career is over."

Hamlin, who has a statistical record of 60 wins in 721 starts at the Cup Series level, is renowned for his meticulous physical fitness and race preparation routines. The confluence of his personal tragedy and physical injury raises questions about his capacity to fully engage his usual rigorous preparation. However, Hamlin expressed his commitment to his team, stating, "It’s TBD. I wish I could predict the future and tell you, but I just don’t know. I certainly give my team the preparation they deserve as the leader of the team. There is no way I could actually show up this weekend and face them and not be prepared. So, I’ve done as much as I feel like I can to be prepared, given the amount of time I’ve got and everything that’s been going on. They know once I get in that car, they will never have to question whether I am capable of going out there and giving them their best opportunity to win. That is ultimately my job, to get them the results they have been preparing for all season and reap the benefits of their hard work."

The commitment to racing despite significant physical discomfort underscores Hamlin’s dedication to his team and his pursuit of further success in the twilight of his career. The 2026 season will undoubtedly be a testament to his resilience and determination as he navigates these profound challenges.