Joe Gibbs Racing unveils new Hamlin car as major | Sports News

Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing have acquired a increase as Progressive Insurance will sponsor his No. 11 car.

On Tuesday, Joe Gibbs Racing introduced that Progressive Insurance will sponsor Hamlin for 18 races within the 2025 season and unveiled his car’s new colorway that includes the insurance coverage company’s brand. The first NASCAR Cup Series race with Hamlin’s new sponsor kicks into gear on Sunday when the Straight Talk Wireless 400 takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

“When the opportunity arose for us to be a part of the Joe Gibbs Racing family and support renowned NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, we were all in,” Progressive’s Business Leader of Direct Media Sean Freeman mentioned in a assertion. “We love JGR’s pursuit of excellence and Hamlin’s proven success on the track. Together, our marketing and their driving styles align well, and can’t wait to see the No. 11 in action.”

In a assertion, proprietor Joe Gibbs mentioned: “Progressive is a premiere national brand and a leader in the insurance industry. We are thrilled to have them partner with Denny (Hamlin) and our No. 11 team.

FedEx had sponsored Hamlin since his Cup Series debut in 2005. It was the longest-tenured partnership in NASCAR until their split, which came at the end of the 2024 Cup Series season.

Five races into the 2025 season, Hamlin’s car appeared somewhat bare given his loss of FedEx. The loss of $25 million annually also hurt, but Joe Gibbs Racing has now secured Progressive Insurance. 

Progressive will be the primary sponsor on Hamlin’s car at: Homestead (March 23), Martinsville (March 30), Bristol (April 13), Talladega (April 27), Texas (May 4), Kansas (May 11), All-Star Race (May 18), Nashville (June 1), Pocono (June 22), Chicago Street Race (July 6), Dover (July 20), Indianapolis (July 27), Watkins Glen (Aug. 10), Richmond (Aug. 16), World Wide Technology Raceway (Sept. 7), New Hampshire (Sept. 21), Charlotte Roval (Oct. 5), and Phoenix (Nov. 2).

Before the 2025 season began with the Daytona 500 last month, Hamlin admitted he harbored concerns over the lack of sponsorship. The 44-year-old said: “I mean, it’s tough out there. Sponsorship is hard to come by, and certainly, while it it’s such an important time in our sport to recognize the sponsorship dollars are not flowing like they used to, for sure. Everyone’s had to adjust quite a bit.

“Obviously, you’ve got certain aspects that JGR has to price into their pricing as well that it’s probably tough. I don’t know; it’s just part of it. But certainly, having one sponsor for 20 years made things pretty easy, and now it’s all kind of catching up. Is it concerning from my end? Maybe a little bit, but it’s probably more concerning from JGR’s standpoint.”

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Hamlin has struggled so far in 2025; he completed twenty fourth at Daytona, sixth in Atlanta, twenty first at Circuit of the Americas, second in Phoenix, and twenty fifth eventually week’s Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. The veteran’s final Cup Series win got here on the Wurth 400 at Dover final April, and he’s determined to get back within the win column.

“It does, just like, it’s been a really long time,” Hamlin said. “It sucks. You know, we lost some speed at the end of last year, and now we certainly came back to this racetrack where we’ll start to gauge where we’re at. As far as this season’s concerned, it feels like an eternity.”

The NASCAR Cup Series season continues in Miami on Sunday, May 23.