All good things must come to an end eventually, but if you ask Denny Hamlin, he’s not ready to throw in the towel just yet. After nearly two decades of racing at the highest level, Hamlin remains one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. Given the moniker of the “greatest driver to have never won the championship”, his 54 Cup Series wins speak for themself. But with every season that passes, and his role as co-owner of 23XI Racing growing, the big question on everyone’s mind is: when will Denny Hamlin hang up his helmet for good?

On the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, together with commentator Steve Letarte and co-host Jared Allen, Hamlin shared some revealing insights into his mindset on retirement, and let’s just say he didn’t sugarcoat it.

Denny Hamlin highlights a tough aspect of the racing schedule

Despite the grueling schedule, the long flights, and the aches and pains, Hamlin’s drive to win is as strong as ever. “I still feel like I can win every week, and that’s what drives me,” he said. Whether it’s on the racetrack, the golf course, or even a pickup basketball game, Hamlin’s love for competition is what keeps him going.

But it’s not like the thought doesn’t cross his mind from time to time. The conversation came about as a result of the trio discussing fellow veteran Martin Truex Jr’s final outing as a full-time driver in Phoenix, when co-host Jared Allen aimed the question at Denny Hamlin.

“Do I think about retirement? Only on Mondays when I feel like sh–,” Hamlin admitted, laughing but also being brutally honest about the physical toll racing takes on his body. “After a bad race, when my body hurts, it’s like, ‘Oh man, why am I still doing this?’” But as soon as Sunday rolls around, Hamlin’s competitive fire reignites. “Every Sunday, I get in that car, and I’m like, ‘I’ve got a chance to win,’ and that’s something that’s really hard for me to give up.”

But he’s also aware that one day, the switch might flip, and he’ll know it’s time to step away. “Surely one day there’ll be a light switch that flips on, where I’m no longer as quick as I was. But right now, I still feel like I can win.” As for whether his future lies solely in team ownership, Hamlin’s not quite ready to make that leap just yet. The competitive itch is still there, and the thrill of victory is something he’s not ready to give up. “Ownership is great, but it’s still different from doing it yourself,” he reiterated.

So, what’s next for Denny Hamlin? For now, he’s content juggling both worlds—chasing wins on Sundays while building a championship-caliber team at 23XI. Until that “light switch” moment happens, don’t expect to see Hamlin slowing down anytime soon. He’s still got that fire, that drive, and that belief that he can be the best on the track. In the end, Denny Hamlin is just like the rest of us: trying to figure out when it’s time to let go of something he loves. But for now, he’s having too much fun to stop.

Racing vs. Running the show: Denny Hamlin’s balancing act

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Denny Hamlin’s journey isn’t just about being a driver anymore. As co-owner of 23XI Racing, the team he launched with NBA legend Michael Jordan, he’s taken on a whole new set of responsibilities. And while he loves the challenge, it’s clear that being a team owner, and a driver is no easy task.

When asked if he could ever get the same thrill from ownership as he does from racing, Hamlin didn’t hesitate. “People ask me if owning a team would fill my competitive bucket if I stopped racing,” he said. “I say, partially. It’s still different when you go out and do it yourself.” There’s something about being in the driver’s seat that just can’t be replicated, no matter how much he enjoys pushing his team to new heights.

Hamlin’s pride in 23XI is undeniable. He’s been hands-on in every aspect of the team’s growth, from competition strategies to coaching his drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. “I take a ton of pride in being the owner of 23XI,” Hamlin shared. “I had my hands in all parts of building this team from scratch, challenging the crew chiefs, the engineers, and the drivers on their techniques.”

But here’s the catch: as rewarding as ownership is, it’s still not the same as being the one behind the wheel, feeling the rush of speed and the thrill of battling it out on the track. “It’s different than, you know, doing it yourself,” Hamlin confessed. “I think I’d struggle with that part of it if I ever stopped racing.”

Denny Hamlin’s passion for racing is infectious. It’s clear that the thought of stepping away from something he’s loved for so long isn’t easy to swallow. But he’s not blind to reality. He knows that one day, Father Time will catch up. “I’ve always heard people say that when it’s time to retire, they just ‘know,’” Hamlin said. “Right now, I’m not in the ‘know.’”