Denny Hamlin has officially agreed to a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, securing his position with the team through the end of the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season, after missing out on the 2025 championship in Phoenix. This Denny Hamlin contract extension comes during a period of intense driver movement and strategic signings across the NASCAR Cup Series.
Hamlin Remains with Joe Gibbs Racing Through 2027
Following his narrow second-place finish in the 2025 championship finale, Denny Hamlin confirmed he intends to stay with Joe Gibbs Racing for at least two more seasons. The new deal sees Hamlin continuing in the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE, maintaining his long-standing partnership with the organization. Hamlin indicated this extension could potentially be his last, but left the door open for continuing beyond 2027 if he remains competitive. Joe Gibbs Racing, seeking stability after a challenging year, signaled confidence in their veteran driver’s ongoing ability to lead the team and contend for future titles.
Long-Term Commitments Across Top Teams
Hendrick Motorsports has also acted quickly, locking William Byron into the No. 24 Chevrolet through 2029 with a four-year contract finalized during the Coca-Cola 600. This move fortifies their future lineup, showing faith in Byron’s continued growth. Similarly, Zane Smith’s multi-year extension with Front Row Motorsports, announced on October 23, keeps him in the No. 38 Ford and reunites him with crew chief Ryan Bergenty, the duo aiming to build further on their Truck Series title success as they focus on strengthening their Cup Series effort.
Major Driver Transfers Set for 2026
Change continues elsewhere, as Daniel Suárez will transition to Spire Motorsports in 2026 to take the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet, replacing Justin Haley. The deal, unveiled on October 22, sees Freeway Insurance returning as Suárez’s main sponsor. After five seasons with Trackhouse Racing, Suárez is betting on what he called the “fastest-growing team in NASCAR.”
Trackhouse Racing responded by officially promoting Connor Zilisch to a full-time Cup Series seat in 2026. Zilisch will drive the new No. 88 Chevrolet, joining Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in the team’s expanding three-car operation, with Randall Burnett as his crew chief. This shuffle underlines both organizations’ ambitions for the upcoming seasons.
Hamlin Reflects on How the Title Slipped Away
After the Phoenix showdown, Denny Hamlin spoke candidly with analyst Jeff Gluck about the championship loss and his plans looking forward. Hamlin dominated much of the finale, but a late pit strategy misfire—opting for four tires while rivals chose two—ultimately knocked him out of contention, giving Kyle Larson the opening to clinch both the race and the title. Addressing the emotional aftermath, Hamlin said,
“I mean, I plan to. I have a contract to, but at this point, there’s just absolutely no way that I would even — I don’t even think about race cars right now. I’m gonna need some time on this one.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
In light of his heartbreak, Hamlin has stated he will take the off-season to rest and regroup before returning for the 2026 Cup campaign. Despite the disappointment, he remains contracted with Joe Gibbs Racing and will kick off his next season at the Cook Out Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, 2026.
Implications as NASCAR Heads Toward 2026
The flurry of contract renewals and team changes—especially the Denny Hamlin contract extension—signals a period of stability and renewed focus for the series’ leading organizations. With figures like William Byron, Zane Smith, Daniel Suárez, and rising talent Connor Zilisch all locked in or moving to competitive teams, the foundation is set for an intensely contested 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Joe Gibbs Racing’s vote of confidence in Hamlin, paired with other high-profile deals, positions the sport for an era of fierce competition and shifting dynamics among its headline drivers.
