Denny Hamlin confirms Joe Gibbs’ replacement plan – Sports News
Denny Hamlin has confirmed that teenager Brent Crews is the plan to interchange him within the No. 11 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing when he steps away from full-time Cup Series competitors.
Starting from the rear of the sphere after unapproved changes, he drove by means of the whole 37-car area to steer the ultimate 39 laps and win the FireKeepers Casino 400 by 11.11 seconds, the most important margin of victory of his profession.
It was his third win of 2026 and 63rd general, tying the late Kyle Busch for ninth on the all-time Cup Series wins checklist.
When requested about what success this late in his profession means for his retirement timeline, Hamlin outlined precisely what JGR has deliberate.
“I have a commitment to Joe, no matter what, whether we win this year or not,” he mentioned. “At the end of next year — I told them, just check with me in six months. I don’t want to leave them in flux. They’ve got a great driver in Brent Crews that’s gonna be ready more than likely by the end of next year.”
Crews, 18, is a Toyota development driver and one of essentially the most adorned younger prospects in motorsport. He received six ARCA Menards Series races earlier than turning 18, and this season has posted eight top-ten finishes and 5 top-fives in his first 12 begins within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, regardless of lacking 4 races resulting from NASCAR’s age restrictions.
He is on the cusp of a spot in The Chase regardless of the lowered begin rely. The Athletic reported final August that Crews was the main candidate for the No. 11 seat each time Hamlin stepped away.
Whether Hamlin’s physique lets him make it cleanly to 2027’s finish is its own query. He was candid about what getting old within the sport seems like.
“There’s three things that happen: You lose your eyesight, you lose your reaction and your body hurts,” he mentioned. “The body hurts are there. It’s there. During the week, I’m not recovering as quick. But the other two things are sharp. I want to go out like this.”
He additionally drew a exact line about profession milestones. With 63 wins he’s now tied for ninth. Dale Earnhardt sits eighth with 76. “If I can win one more and put myself in ninth alone, the next jump, I’m not gonna get there,” he mentioned. “So what am I doing? I’m content.”
And but, pressed on whether or not a repeat efficiency in 2027 would possibly make him rethink, Hamlin left the door ajar. “If I’m at this point and this fast at this point next year, it would be a tough, tough decision.”
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