Denny Hamlin continues to compete at a high level in NASCAR’s Cup Series, defying the typical retirement age for drivers as he chases Victory Lane. However, his ambition to secure a full-time driving role with his co-owned team, 23XI Racing, is confronting significant obstacles posed by charter restrictions that limit the number of cars his team can field.
Having spent two decades driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin partnered with Michael Jordan in 2020 to found 23XI Racing, expanding the team’s presence in the Cup Series. Recently, he confirmed on The Dale Jr. Download podcast that he hopes to race full-time for 23XI before ending his career behind the wheel. Yet, charter limitations may block this path.
Hamlin elaborated on the complications arising from the charter system, which restricts 23XI Racing to three charters under new rules, while rival teams maintain four each due to grandfathering. This disparity creates a competitive disadvantage for his organization. Reflecting on this, he stated,
[According] to the new rules, we can only have three [charters]. That makes it very, very challenging when you are up against teams that are grandfathered in at like four. How is that not an advantage?
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver and team co-owner
Currently, 23XI Racing fields three drivers in the Cup Series: Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst. Should Hamlin choose to drive full-time for his team, one of these drivers would need to step aside. Alternatively, Hamlin could compete without a charter as an open entry, but he has acknowledged that this would be financially impractical without millions of dollars of backing.
Hamlin’s Outlook on Retirement and Post-Racing Plans
Despite approaching the typical retirement age for NASCAR drivers, Hamlin expresses a reluctance to fully detach from racing after he stops driving regularly. He cites Dale Earnhardt Jr. as an example, who retired from full-time competition in 2017 but continues to race part-time with JR Motorsports. Hamlin aims to emulate this model by staying involved in selective events that interest him.
After his recent win in Michigan, the 44-year-old remarked,
“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.”
He also admitted the challenge of competing part-time at the highest level, adding,
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
Performance-wise, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE remains competitive, indicating he likely has several more seasons of full-time racing within reach. Whether he continues with Joe Gibbs Racing or transitions to 23XI Racing, his ultimate goal remains securing a NASCAR Cup Series championship before he retires.
Implications of Charter Limitations on Hamlin’s Future
The charter restrictions not only influence Hamlin’s personal ambitions but also affect the strategic direction of 23XI Racing. Balancing the roster among Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Riley Herbst, and potentially Hamlin himself presents a complex dilemma. These limitations could hinder the team’s expansion and its competitive edge against established teams with more charters.
Hamlin’s desire to race full-time for 23XI Racing highlights the tension between evolving rules and personal goals in a sport where experience and team dynamics heavily impact success. How the charter limits will be resolved or adapted remains uncertain, but they stand as a significant hurdle in shaping the final stages of Hamlin’s racing career.
