Denny Hamlin confirms retirement date after | Sports News

Closing in on his forty fifth birthday and his sixtieth NASCAR Cup Series win, Denny Hamlin is probably not slowing down on the monitor, however he nonetheless believes his time behind the wheel is fast approaching its conclusion.

The 23XI Racing co-owner’s 59th profession win got here on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, beating teammate Chase Briscoe, who was concerned in a mid-race wreck, to the checkered flag at the Enjoy Illinois 300, securing his spot within the Playoffs Round of 12 whereas being booed by followers within the course of.

Post race, Hamlin gave the impression to be in a reflective temper, noting how, at this level in his storied profession, any win may very well be his final. “This could be the last time I’m talking to you with my driver’s suit on after a race. We just never know,” he instructed reporters. “And so I try my best to enjoy the moment and do the best I can to rile up the fans any chance I get.”

Discussing the prospect of retirement, Hamlin famous that there would “be a huge, huge void,” figuring out he’d need to “find something else to latch onto.”

“Yeah, I mean, certainly I’m a results-based person,” he added. “When I can come out here and race against guys half my age and be able to beat them, that’s very gratifying for me. That’s what I’m going to miss. That will be the toughest part about hanging it up.”

With 5 wins to date this season, 2025 has been Hamlin’s winningest 12 months since 2020, when he headed to victory lane on seven events – second solely to his eight wins in 2010.

As such, some might surprise why Hamlin might even be entertaining the suggestion of retirement. But so far as he’s involved, all of it comes down to a want to go away on the high of his recreation. “I’m just not going to leave this sport on my deathbed, you know, just leaking oil, just running in the back of the pack,” he mentioned.

“I have way too much pride for that. I’m way too cocky for that. There’s just no way. I want to be able to win my last race. To do that, I’m going to have to retire when I’m racing like this.”

DON’T MISS

In reality, Hamlin admitted that whereas his present deal by 2027 will probably be his final, he might but determine to stroll away ought to he win the championship at Phoenix, calling it “a good way to end.”

But whereas the clock could also be ticking on Hamlin’s racing profession, this isn’t distracting him from the time he has left, however somewhat it’s serving to him preserve his laser deal with maximising the restricted alternatives remaining in entrance of him. 

What’s more, he’s opted to not let the timeline add additional stress to his pursuit of a first Cup Series crown by contemplating how many probabilities he nonetheless has. Although the identical can’t fairly be mentioned of particular person race wins. “The only one I thought about was this year and the Daytona 500, thinking that, ‘I’m probably only going to do this twice more,’” he mentioned.

“Brickyards, right? I haven’t won the freaking Brickyard. I’m going to have two more shots at it, and that’s it, to round this thing out.

“There’s certain races that I do have countdowns for. Championships isn’t one of them. Obviously, it’s well-documented that I want to get the wins, and I feel like that will carry its weight long after. 

“When you compare me to someone that’s maybe got one or two, maybe three championships, and half the wins, I don’t think that person’s better than I am.”

Hamlin’s Hall of Fame profession will take one other step in direction of its inevitable finish at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, earlier than the Round of 12 commences at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21.