Denny Hamlin, who remains highly competitive on the track, continues to weigh his future as both a driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing, with the Joe Gibbs Racing impact on Denny Hamlin’s racing future front and center in ongoing discussions. As Hamlin plots the next phase of his career, NASCAR’s ownership structure and charter rules could pose significant challenges to his hoped-for full-time shift to 23XI Racing, a team he established with Michael Jordan in 2020.
Hamlin’s Pursuit of Racing for His Own Team
Hamlin has spent two decades racing with Joe Gibbs Racing, building a strong record and reputation within the Cup Series. In 2020, his partnership with Michael Jordan brought 23XI Racing to the grid, and since then, the organization has earned a reputation as a serious competitor. On a recent episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Hamlin reaffirmed his aspiration to eventually race full-time for 23XI before retiring from competition. Yet, he remains uncertain about whether that goal is realistic due to strict NASCAR charter limitations.
The rules governing team charters in NASCAR currently limit organizations to fielding only three chartered cars, while certain older teams are “grandfathered” and allowed a fourth entry. Addressing this situation, Hamlin questioned:
“[According to] the new rules, we can only have three [charters]. That makes it very, very challenging when you have to go up against teams that are grandfathered in at four. How is that not an advantage?”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver and Co-Owner of 23XI Racing
Presently, 23XI Racing’s Cup lineup features Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst. If Hamlin were to make a full-time move to his own team, one of the current drivers would likely have to step aside. While another alternative exists—racing as an “open entry” without a charter—Hamlin openly acknowledged the prohibitive costs and lack of financial logic for such a route, stating he lacks the tens of millions typically required for a non-charter campaign.
The Question of Retirement and Racing’s Ongoing Pull
While Hamlin foresees a day when he retires from full-time competition, he does not envision leaving the sport entirely. Citing Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a model—who retired in 2017 yet continues to race part-time for JR Motorsports—Hamlin alluded to a similar path after stepping back from a regular Cup schedule. After a recent win in Michigan, Hamlin observed the difficulty of withdrawing completely from the sport he loves.
He noted,
“I think it would be tough for me to just cut off, like, totally stop. I like what he’s (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) doing, dabbling, going to racetracks that you like, in the Xfinity Series or something like that.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver and Co-Owner of 23XI Racing
Despite this vision, Hamlin recognizes the practical limitations that come with part-time participation in the Cup Series.
“It’s hard to do well in Cup part-time. So I’m very realistic with my goals and I certainly don’t want to show up when I know I can’t win.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver and Co-Owner of 23XI Racing
What Lies Ahead for Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, and 23XI?
With the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE consistently showing strong pace, Hamlin remains one of the sport’s premier drivers, suggesting he still has several seasons left at the highest level. Achieving a Cup Series championship remains a top priority—whether that quest continues with Joe Gibbs Racing or, eventually, as part of a full-time drive with 23XI Racing. The evolving rules around charters and team ownership not only shape Hamlin’s personal ambitions but also influence future decisions for organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI, and their lineup of drivers such as Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst.
Ultimately, the Joe Gibbs Racing impact on Denny Hamlin’s racing future will depend on a mix of competitive success, financial realities, and how NASCAR’s evolving rules affect team strategies. As Hamlin’s legacy continues to form, the outcome of these decisions could set precedents for driver-owners and teams throughout the sport, with many watching closely to see whether he can fulfill the last items on his racing bucket list.
