Denny Hamlin, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, challenged top NASCAR leadership during a contentious 2022 meeting, bringing the “Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy” to light over team funding and cost management. The dispute centers on Hamlin’s criticism of NASCAR CEO Jim France for prioritizing the organization over the interests of teams and owners.
Hamlin Takes Issue With NASCAR Leadership Over Costs
Tensions escalated after Hamlin participated in a closed-door discussion with NASCAR president Steve Phelps and CEO Jim France. According to Hamlin’s subsequent email to fellow team executives, France maintained that NASCAR as an entity is the main attraction, and team owners are secondary. During the meeting, Hamlin emphasized the increasing expenses that teams face—such as the significant cost of engine support—but his concerns were met with France’s suggestion that the teams themselves should look for ways to reduce expenses, rather than expecting more support from NASCAR.
Hamlin’s frustration became even more apparent as he revealed that NASCAR’s top leaders prefer that car manufacturers, referred to as OEMs, shoulder a bigger share of the financial burden. As the driver of the #11 Toyota Camry XSE, he noted that France’s approach failed to acknowledge the differences in OEM deals across teams and how crucial that support is for competitive racing. Hamlin expressed his dissatisfaction by stating:
“Jim doesn’t really value the current owners of our sport and what we bring. He believes that NASCAR itself is the show. He made a point to say that we have to continue to give OEMs tremendous value because they help support the teams. I honestly don’t think he understands that every teams OEM deal is different. I told him our 15M number is WITH OEM engine support.”
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
“In the end he just wants someone else to pay our bills, NOT NASCAR,” he concluded.
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
NASCAR’s Approach to Revenue and Team Spending Critiqued
In his communication, Hamlin highlighted that the NASCAR administration’s focus appeared limited to monitoring team expenditures, rather than considering the broader distribution of income. He pointed out that while teams are pressured to cut costs, the venues continue to generate most of the revenue, yet their spending rarely comes under similar scrutiny.
Phoenix Heartbreak Adds to Hamlin’s Frustrations
The cost dispute controversy was followed by another emotional blow for Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway. After the championship party, Hamlin spoke candidly with motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck about his feelings following a crushing loss at the end of the 2025 Cup Series season and his outlook for 2026. Despite a dominant season, including leading 208 of the 319-lap Championship 4 race, Hamlin’s bid for a maiden title slipped away following a crucial strategy call: unlike his main rivals, he opted for a four-tire change on his final pit stop. This decision led to a loss of valuable positions, opening the door for rival driver Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports to take the lead.
Larson ultimately finished third, but Hamlin fell to sixth place, missing out on his first Cup Series championship. Reflecting on the disappointment and his future in the sport, Hamlin told the press:
“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, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
2025 Season in Review and Implications for NASCAR’s Future
Hamlin closed out the 2025 Cup Series finishing second overall, with six wins, 18 top-ten finishes, 14 top-fives, and five poles across 35 starts, leading a total of 1,024 laps. The turbulent end to his season, paired with his intense criticism of how NASCAR’s leadership manages the business side, brings renewed attention to ongoing friction between drivers, team owners, and the governing body.
With figures such as Steve Phelps, Jim France, Kyle Larson, and team executives drawn further into the spotlight, the ongoing Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy has raised broader questions about the sport’s financial model and the relationship between NASCAR, its teams, and manufacturers. As teams push for greater recognition and financial security, how the governing body responds may determine the trajectory of stock car racing’s future.
An email from Denny Hamlin in 2022 to a few other team executives after a conversation with Jim France: pic.twitter.com/ZfGrx07WzY
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) November 22, 2025
