Denny Hamlin Cup championship ambition took center stage as he prioritized his quest for the title with Joe Gibbs Racing, brushing aside distractions from his co-ownership of 23XI Racing. During the high-pressure 2025 NASCAR Cup season, Hamlin actively balanced his dual roles but concentrated intensely on his primary goal of winning the championship for the No. 11 team.
Two years ago, Hamlin stated unequivocally that securing a Cup championship was his foremost objective. Determined to deliver for Joe Gibbs Racing, he cut out all unrelated activities during a critical playoff stretch, sharpening his competitive edge behind the wheel.
Managing Racing and Ownership Roles
Despite the demands of partnership with NBA great Michael Jordan at 23XI Racing and concluding the year by settling an antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR, Hamlin pressed on as both an owner and driver. On race weekends and particularly at the Phoenix Raceway season finale, he showed his commitment by leading a record number of laps, demonstrating that ownership duties would not stand in the way of his ambition on the track. Hamlin clarified this balance in a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview in 2023.
“I find a way to compartmentalize it. And when I focus on racing and I give myself proper time through the week to put in all the work I need to, it doesn’t leave me any time for anything else,”
Denny Hamlin said.
At age 46, Hamlin made his priorities clear, focusing his time and resources even more intently on driving and chasing the Cup. He put aside broader team aspirations to chase the opportunity he saw right in front of him.
“I am definitely shifting my resources and time more into the driving aspect now, because I have goals. I have long-term goals. I want my team to win a championship, but the closest goal to me right now that is achievable is for me to win a cup championship for myself. So that’s what I need to focus on,”
he added.
Pivotal Moments on the Track
Throughout 2025, Denny Hamlin’s drive to carry Joe Gibbs Racing to victory played out on the racetrack. At Kansas Speedway, he set the pace by leading 159 laps in a key playoff event. In a dramatic end, Hamlin attempted a late move behind Bubba Wallace, his 23XI driver, inadvertently making contact and sending Wallace’s No. 23 into the wall. The incident paved the way for Chase Elliott to seize the win in a stunning conclusion, demonstrating the intensity and unpredictability that define championship pursuits.
During this period, there were also indications that Hamlin considered stepping away from his 23XI Racing ownership. Reports surfaced suggesting he weighed leaving his stake in the team even as his focus on a Cup win sharpened.
Hamlin Reportedly Explored Selling His 23XI Stake
Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan launched 23XI Racing in 2020, debuting the new team in 2021 and celebrating their maiden victory at Talladega with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel. The partnership grew with Tyler Reddick joining the driver lineup in 2023, propelling the team further into the NASCAR spotlight.
According to reporting by Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, Hamlin, who holds a 40% interest in 23XI Racing, suggested to Michael Jordan that he seek a buyer for Hamlin’s share in the team during 2023. This internal discussion occurred amid disagreements over the team’s direction, as revealed in court documents, but was described as a component of in-house debate rather than a definitive step to exit ownership.
Although Hamlin’s championship quest ended in disappointment after Kyle Larson clinched the 2025 NASCAR Cup title in a memorable showdown, Hamlin’s relentless pursuit solidified both his dedication as a driver and his willingness to prioritize his personal ambitions above his business ventures when it mattered most.
What the Future Holds for Hamlin and 23XI Racing
Denny Hamlin’s determination to focus on the driver’s seat, sometimes even at the expense of his ownership obligations with 23XI Racing and his partnership with Michael Jordan, illustrates what it takes to stay competitive at NASCAR’s highest level. As the dust settles on the 2025 Cup season and new challenges emerge, Hamlin’s pursuit of the elusive championship title may well inspire fellow drivers and continue to shape the trajectory of both his racing and business careers. The impact of his decisions this year will resonate at Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI, and throughout the wider NASCAR community as the sport enters its next chapter.
🧠 "I find a way to compartmentalize it […] I'm definitely shifting my resources and time more into the driving aspect now." #NASCAR@dennyhamlin balances a lot on his plate, but is fully focused on bringing home that elusive title for @JoeGibbsRacing in 2023 🏆 pic.twitter.com/J43PzGxTQ3
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 1, 2023
