Joe Gibbs Racing co-owner Heather Gibbs didn’t push back at the idea of Denny Hamlin racing beyond his current contract with the team during a recent press conference.
Last season, Denny Hamlin came closer than he ever had to winning a NASCAR Cup Series Championship before a late call blew what had been an almost perfect afternoon in Phoenix.
While the Virginia driver had come close to winning a title in his career, this loss stung for more than just the great run the No. 11 team had in 2025 and at Phoenix.
This was because earlier that season, Hamlin had signed an extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, which, at the time, he called “most likely” the last one he would sign of his lengthy career.
While the details of this contract are unknown, it will take him through next season, leaving the 45-year-old a free agent for 2028, where most expect he will retire from full-time racing.
Still, given his incredible start to the 2026 season, fans are wondering if this contract could actually be the last real go-around for Hamlin.
In fact, when asked about Hamlin re-signing after 2027, JGR co-owner Heather Gibbs did not rule out the idea of Hamlin returning in the future following Hamlin’s win at Pocono on Sunday.
Gibbs said that while Hamlin could return, as the cornerstone driver of their team and a veteran of the sport, he would probably want to retire at the top of his game; still, she did note that it’s hard to look past his on-track success in his 21st season of competition.
“I think for Denny, he wants to leave on top, right? He doesn’t want to leave where it was one year too long. At this rate, what he’s producing out there, it’s not something you would not consider. We want the best drivers in our cars. Our teams work to put the best cars on track.” — Heather Gibbs
Even then, if Gibbs would welcome Hamlin back for competition beyond 2027, the decision is up to the driver, who has his own interests outside of the car, such as his ownership of 23XI Racing.
But then again, who’s to say that Hamlin would turn down the chance to win more races?
“If it works out and he’s still producing and he wants to, it’s a huge commitment for him; he’s got his own team that he wants to run,” Gibbs said. “It’s hard when you dangle checkered flags in front of him, too.”
In late 2024, Hamlin looked like he was finally winding down his career. After three early wins, the then 43-year-old went winless for the rest of the season.
Tacking onto that was the loss of sponsors FedEx and Mavis Tire, as well as the departure of his long-time Crew Chief, Chris Gabehart, who would eventually leave JGR shrouded in controversy.
Still, on track, Hamlin and his new Crew Chief Chris Gayle proved to be a dominant force, winning six races, tied for Hamlin’s career high, and already winning four this season.
With Hamlin seemingly at another career peak, fans are asking whether he should actually retire after 2027.
Of course, the idea of retirement is mostly speculative, as Hamlin has not confirmed anything, though recent interviews suggest he is leaning that way.
After winning at Nashville Superspeedway, Hamlin told the Prime Video post-race team that if he were at the end of his agreement this season, it would be difficult to step away, but he does not believe the No. 11 will be this good in 2027.
“If it was right now, it’d be really hard, but I find it hard to believe we’re gonna be at this level at this time next year.” — Denny Hamlin
Furthermore, Hamlin also brought up JGR’s top prospect, 18-year-old Brent Crews, who is racing full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, seemingly tabbing him as his heir apparent and adding that Crews will likely be ready for Cup “by the end of next year.”
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