As Denny Hamlin continues his pursuit of an elusive NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025, questions about his retirement plans grow louder. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a respected voice in the sport, has expressed concerns about how challenging the transition away from racing might be for Hamlin, highlighting the complexities involved in stepping out of the spotlight after a remarkable career.
The Reality Behind Hamlin’s Imminent Departure
Denny Hamlin secured his 57th career win in his 701st Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway, managing fuel strategy and leading only the final crucial laps to outpace William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports. This victory marked Hamlin’s third win of the season, reinforcing his continued determination to capture a first Cup Series championship.
During a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his co-hosts discussed Hamlin’s near-60 wins milestone. Earnhardt shared a candid assessment of the veteran driver’s intentions and the emotional difficulty that retirement may bring.
I think he (Denny Hamlin) has a plan in his mind when he thinks he’s going to retire. But I think that he is going to find out when he gets to that doorstep, it’s going to be harder to do than he thinks.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Hamlin’s Dual Role as Driver and Team Owner
In his 18th full-time Cup Series season, Hamlin stands as one of the sport’s most accomplished competitors, ranking 11th on the all-time Cup winners list ahead of legends like Tony Stewart, Lee Petty, and Ned Jarrett. Besides his driving career, he is also a co-owner of 23XI Racing, a team that has quickly become a prominent force in NASCAR.
Earnhardt drew comparisons between Hamlin and other great drivers nearing retirement, noting that Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick won between six to seven races in their final seasons. With Hamlin already at three wins this year, the parallels highlight both his ongoing competitiveness and the significance of this phase in his career.
If Jeff Gordon won six, (Kevin) Harvick won seven, and they were on the higher end of the range, right?
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
The Challenge of Leaving the Track Behind
While Hamlin’s future beyond Joe Gibbs Racing remains unclear, there is speculation he could continue racing under his own team, 23XI Racing. Nevertheless, the struggle to part ways with racing, a sport to which he has dedicated his entire adult life, looms large. Hamlin’s competitive drive and deep involvement in the sport’s dynamics suggest that retirement will be more complicated than simply ending his racing days.
Earnhardt’s warnings emphasize that even with a retirement plan, Hamlin may encounter unforeseen emotional and psychological hurdles as he faces this major life change. Transitioning from a high-profile career to a new chapter often requires more adjustment than anticipated, especially for a figure so deeply ingrained in the racing world.
Ultimately, how Hamlin navigates this transition will likely influence both his personal legacy and the ongoing development of his team ownership role, marking a crucial moment in one of NASCAR’s most compelling careers.
