Dale Earnhardt Jr has offered his perspective on the current conversation surrounding Denny Hamlin retirement plans and future in NASCAR, raising questions about whether the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will actually step away as soon as he claims. Hamlin, who skipped this weekend’s event in Mexico City for family reasons following his recent race win in Michigan, has achieved significant milestones as he approaches a possible career transition.
Hamlin’s Recent Achievements and Retirement Hints
Denny Hamlin, at 44 years old, chose not to compete in Mexico City but comes off the momentum of a victory in Michigan, marking his third Cup Series win of the 2025 season. This accomplishment crowned him as only the tenth driver in history to win a Cup Series event after surpassing 700 career races. With this 57th win, Hamlin also secured the record for most Cup wins as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, a remarkable feat in NASCAR’s competitive field.
After his Michigan win, Hamlin spoke openly about his mindset regarding retirement from racing. He expressed his desire to remain competitive up until the end of his driving days, indicating he does not wish to continue once he can no longer contend at a high level.
“It just feels good because I’m going to hate it when I’m not at the level I’m at now. I certainly will retire very, very quickly after that,”
Hamlin asserted after his victory. —Denny Hamlin, Race Car Driver
He reinforced his perspective by clarifying his standards for how he wishes to end his career.
“I’m not going to hang around and do it just to do it. This is how I want to spend my last season, is like still winning, you know? I’m going to keep going.”
—Denny Hamlin, Race Car Driver
Earnhardt Jr Raises Doubts About Hamlin Stepping Away
While Hamlin has publicly stated his intention to leave the sport while still achieving success, Dale Earnhardt Jr, speaking on his well-known podcast, voiced skepticism that retirement decisions come that easily for star drivers. Reflecting on his own experience in the Cup Series, which concluded in 2017, Earnhardt Jr highlighted the emotional difficulty of leaving competitive racing behind, especially for someone consistently performing at a high level.
On the Dale Jr Download, Earnhardt Jr speculated about how Hamlin’s ongoing success could influence his actual retirement timeline:
“The guy may be looking at two years, but if he still wins three races, is he really gonna retire if he’s still winning?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR Legend
Earnhardt Jr further suggested that Hamlin might be enticed to continue racing, possibly even by running for his own team:
“You don’t think he’ll be lured to go drive for his own team for a little while?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR Legend
He concluded his thoughts about Hamlin’s intentions, saying,
“I think he has a plan in his mind when he thinks he’s going to retire, but I think that he’s going to find out when he gets to that doorstep, it’s going to be harder to do than he thinks.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR Legend
The Temptation of Competing for His Own Team
Earnhardt Jr’s insights carry weight, given his own history of returning to race with his own team after formally leaving the Cup Series and his ongoing involvement as a team owner. Hamlin, who co-owns the 23XI Racing team with basketball icon Michael Jordan, has mentioned his desire to one day compete with 23XI as a driver as well as serving in an ownership capacity. This possibility remains open, especially since drivers like Earnhardt Jr himself have found the urge to return behind the wheel hard to resist.
Hamlin’s future may not be decided solely by his original plans. Success, ongoing competitiveness, and the opportunity to lead and race for his own organization could each prove a factor if he approaches the point of choosing retirement.
What This Means for NASCAR and Its Fans
The ongoing discussion surrounding Denny Hamlin retirement plans and future in NASCAR keeps fans, fellow competitors, and commentators engaged as his career nears a crossroads. With significant achievements already secured in his record, Hamlin’s next decisions could influence not only his own narrative but also the makeup of the Cup Series roster. As NASCAR continues to see veteran drivers weigh their options, the allure of racing—especially with involvement in personally meaningful teams—remains a compelling force. The sport’s landscape, and that of Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI, will certainly watch Hamlin’s next steps closely in the seasons to come.
