Denny Hamlin’s Tussle With NASCAR Leading Him to the Dreadful Kyle Busch Future

Denny Hamlin’s future is looking uncertain. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran recently lost his long-term sponsor FedEx going into the new Cup Series campaign. The logistics company has been a part of the driver’s journey since 2005, and their departure has been a massive blow for the 44-year-old. Outside the racetrack, the situation isn’t rosy either, as the 23XI Racing co-owner is currently involved in an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR for monopolistic practices.

With just one year left on his contract, could Hamlin’s time be up at Joe Gibbs Racing? If history is anything to go by, particularly in terms of what happened with Kyle Busch, it certainly seems the case for the Florida native.

Denny Hamlin opens up about his current sponsorship situation

Denny Hamlin finds himself in unfamiliar territory. For almost two decades, the racer and FedEx were an inseparable duo, dominating the Cup Series one race at a time. However, with the logistics company officially out of the picture, questions are being raised about the driver’s long-term stability with the team. Even though the No. 11 Toyota impressed at the Bowman Gray Stadium, securing a third-place finish, the real battle is being fought behind the scenes as the team is scrambling to find funding for the veteran’s car.

Given the circumstances Denny Hamlin finds himself in, it’s not surprising that sponsorships are hard to come by. The 44-year-old shed light on his situation by saying, “I mean, sponsorship’s hard to come by and certainly, it’s such an important time in our sport to recognize that sponsorship dollars are not flowing like they used to, for sure. Everyone’s had to adjust quite a bit and obviously, there’s certain aspects that JGR has to price into their pricing that’s probably tough. It’s part of it.”

While there is an element of truth to Hamlin’s words, there is more to the situation than what meets the eye. As co-owner of 23XI Racing, the veteran driver is also involved in a legal battle with NASCAR after filing an anti-trust lawsuit last year. The uncertainty regarding the current scenario is making potential sponsors think twice before investing in the three-time Daytona 500 winner. At the age of 44, the racer’s years at the highest level are limited, which means getting an interested party on a long-term basis will also be a challenge.

Hamlin’s current situation is eerily similar to what Kyle Busch went through. After 15 years at Joe Gibbs Racing, ‘Rowdy’ opted to leave the No. 18 Toyota team after his primary sponsor M&M’s pulled out from the sport. The company opted to leave because of a shift in its marketing strategy, which resulted in a significant decrease in Busch’s overall funding. Despite it all, the Nevada native was eager to stay with the team on a reduced salary but felt JGR did little to retain him in the circumstances, going on to say, “Did JGR try hard enough to sell me? My answer to that is no.” Busch moved to Richard Childress Racing in 2023 and has had a topsy-turvy time ever since.

Could history repeat itself with Denny Hamlin? Despite his years of dominance with over 50 Cup race wins, the 44-year-old doesn’t have a Cup Series championship to his name. While his talent is undeniable, many believe that he could be the modern-day Carl Edwards, who will eventually be forced to retire without a Bill France Cup on his resume. With just one year remaining on his contract, will Joe Gibbs Racing opt to extend their association with the veteran racer or opt for a younger driver for the longer term? Time will tell.

Joe Gibbs Racing find a temporary solution to Hamlin’s sponsorship woes

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The ongoing situation is concerning for Joe Gibbs Racing. The team has always relied on premium sponsors for its racers, but their struggles are raising more questions than answers. At a time when Trackhouse Racing has signed Red Bull, why is Denny Hamlin struggling to get financial support? The only logical explanation would be that the 44-year-old’s outspoken nature and the ongoing lawsuit are working against him.

However, the team seems to have found a temporary respite. National Debt Relief will be sponsoring four races for the driver, which includes the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and the races that will be held at Talladega and Circuit of The Americas. Alex Kleyner, CEO and Co-Founder of National Debt Relief said, “We are excited to team up with Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin as we continue to raise awareness within the NASCAR community about debt, the impacts it can have on individuals and families, and most importantly to let people know solutions are available to help.” While this might be a step in the right direction, what Hamlin desperately needs is a full-season sponsorship to give him some stability ahead of an important season.

In the worst-case scenario, the Florida native could opt for a move to his team 23XI Racing, which seems to have no problem attracting companies such as McDonald’s, DoorDash, and Monster Energy. By jumping ship to his team, the 44-year-old will be in control of his fate in the twilight of his career. The move will be supported by Toyota as well because the racer will remain under the manufacturer’s stable. It’s a safety net Denny Hamlin will undoubtedly rely on, should the circumstances at Joe Gibbs Racing force him to part ways. Do you think Denny Hamlin stays at Joe Gibbs Racing after 2025?