Denny Hamlin left in uncomfortable position – Sports News
Denny Hamlin represents the largest unsigned star forward of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with Kyle Busch set to return to Richard Childress Racing.
On Saturday, Richard Childress Racing introduced Busch will return to the group for 2026 after group president Mike Verlander confirmed they’d picked up the option on his contract. The two-time Cup Series champion – whose brother Kurt is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame – has piloted the No. 8 car since 2023, accumulating three wins, 16 high fives, and 31 high 10s in 84 begins since departing Joe Gibbs Racing after a 15-year stint.
William Byron additionally signed an extension at Hendrick Motorsports, leaving Hamlin as the one driver whose deal is up this yr that hasn’t been introduced for 2026. He is predicted to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing, however the 44-year-old has teased probably departing.
Over a adorned 20-year profession in the Cup Series, Hamlin has develop into one of probably the most outspoken and revered drivers on the grid – whilst he chases an elusive Cup Series championship. He has spent his complete profession with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The No. 11 Toyota driver has secured back-to-back first-place finishes at Martinsville and Darlington this season. He earned his 56th profession NASCAR win by taking up on the ultimate restart and heading off William Byron in the Goodyear 400.
While Hamlin is predicted to re-sign with Joe Gibbs Racing, he has teased suiting up for a completely different group. In addition to his racing profession, Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan.
During a current look on the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast after Darlington, Hamlin hinted at a potential change to race for his own group. When requested about becoming a member of 23XI Racing and driving himself, Hamlin informed Dale Earnhardt Jr: “I think that running some at 23XI is something that I’d like to do.
“Joe Gibbs Racing’s been amazing to me over the 20 years that I’ve been with them. Just fantastic, couldn’t be any better. Joe and that whole group has just been amazing.
“But you know, there’s things that are different. I do have a race team. You know, I really would like, even if I phased out and ran some there, that would be a cool goal of mine.
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“Just whatever it is. Five races, 25, whatever it might be. It’d be a cool way to phase out versus just stopping. I think I’d have a tough time just stopping.”
Hamlin didn’t define any timeframe concerning a change to 23XI, however the 44-year-old did say he desires to get behind the wheel in his prime. He added: “I want to be competitive when I do it. I don’t want to do it when I’m already past my prime of winning. And so, however, that timing works, that’s how I would like for it to work, but you don’t always get to decide.”
Hamlin desires to interrupt a tie with Busch as Joe Gibbs Racing’s winningest driver, with each males on 56 Cup Series victories. The Coca-Cola 600 is the subsequent occasion on the Cup Series Schedule, happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sun., May 25.
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