Denny Hamlin’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series has been a significant topic over the last several months. In 2025, Hamlin expressed his doubts about running the 2026 NASCAR season after losing the Cup Series championship in brutal fashion. Then, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver experienced personal battles with a lawsuit against NASCAR and the death of his father in December.
However, would Hamlin consider the idea of racing beyond the 2027 NASCAR season with Joe Gibbs Racing? Hamlin gave an update on his retirement plans at Darlington Raceway, as first reported by Motorsport.com’s Matt Weaver.
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“I’m not really sure,” Hamlin said. “I think that I’ve given [Joe Gibbs Racing] enough of a heads up that they’re working on the plans for beyond. So as long as those all go as planned, I would, I still assume that the end of ‘27 is it.”
Hamlin seems likely to end his full-time NASCAR career after the 2027 season, but he also left the door open. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s career is nearing its conclusion, but it might not be after 2027. For now, Hamlin will focus on winning races in the Cup Series, while pursuing his first NASCAR championship.
More: Denny Hamlin discusses emotional NASCAR win at Las Vegas in 2026
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Denny Hamlin provides big update on NASCAR retirement plans in 2026
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