Denny Hamlin faced a bittersweet 2024 Phoenix finale, marked by mechanical setbacks and the end of a long partnership with FedEx. Despite high hopes for a title run, Hamlin’s 11th-place finish capped off a difficult season, one that also symbolized his 20th year without a Cup Series championship. But while the disappointment was clear, Hamlin’s reflections on his career hinted at a resilience that’s kept him in the game through thick and thin.

In a recent interview, Hamlin responded to questions about the surprising dominance of Penske Racing, especially with Joey Logano’s late-season surge to the title. While many are puzzled by Penske’s ability to find speed when it counts, Hamlin offered his perspective on the situation. As he faced his own challenges, Hamlin’s approach to the dominance of Logano and Penske proved to be both thoughtful and revealing, so let’s take a look at what he said.

Denny Hamlin on how Team Penske turned out to be the fastest cars at Phoenix

Denny Hamlin had a tough 2024 Phoenix finale, where mechanical issues prevented him from competing at the level he hoped. Starting with high expectations, he ended up finishing 11th—far below where he wanted to be.  In addition to that, this year symbolizes his 20th year running in the Cup Series and not winning a title.

In an interview uploaded on YouTube by Frontstretch, Hamlin was asked about the dominance of Penske Racing, especially when a driver like Joey Logano, sitting 15th in the regular season standings, goes on to win the title. Hamlin was asked: “Is it tougher to take when a guy who’s 15th in regular season points wins the title?”

Denny Hamlin’s response was measured but thoughtful: “I mean, you guys will talk about all that stuff, but I mean, it’s a crazy scenario for sure. Wild ride.” He acknowledged the oddity of the situation without diving too deep into it. When the interviewer followed up, asking how Penske seems to find their speed at the end of the year, Hamlin offered a bit more insight into the situation: “I don’t understand how Penske is doing this. I mean, they find the speed somewhere at the end of the year when it counts. Are they lying in wait and not showing it, or are they developing it?” 

Hamlin’s answer reflected his belief in the integrity of the sport: “Nobody would have speed and not show it throughout the regular season and the playoffs, because the bonus points— we’ve seen these things come down to a point here, a point there.” He went on to explain that NASCAR’s inspections throughout the year ensure that teams follow the rules: “But, you know, NASCAR inspects the cars throughout the year. I don’t know how much they inspect during the playoffs. But I don’t know. You know, you gotta think that everything’s straight up and legit unless they tell us otherwise.”

In essence, Hamlin made peace with Team Penske’s success, acknowledging their performance but maintaining that unless there’s clear evidence of wrongdoing, everything is above board. It was a more measured perspective, especially after what had been a challenging season for Hamlin personally, and this interview came after the news of Hamlin parting ways with his iconic sponsor.

Denny Hamlin says goodbye to one of his oldest sponsors

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Denny Hamlin’s long-standing partnership with FedEx, which has adorned his No. 11 Toyota Camry since his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2005, is coming to an end. The news broke just before the 2024 Cup Series Championship Race, with Hamlin posting a heartfelt “Thank you, FedEx” video on Instagram.

This announcement marks the conclusion of what has been the longest active sponsorship in NASCAR. It’s a big shift for Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing, as FedEx has been a constant for both the team and fans for 2 decades.

FedEx’s departure isn’t entirely unexpected. Over the last few years, the shipping giant has been gradually scaling back its NASCAR sponsorship. Where FedEx once backed Hamlin for the full 36-race season, in 2024 it appeared as a primary sponsor in just 13 events, with other brands like Mavis Tire, SportClips, Interstate Batteries, and Yahoo! filling in.

This shift follows a pattern for JGR, which also saw Mars Incorporated and M&M’s step away in 2022, a move that eventually led to Kyle Busch leaving the team. Now, Hamlin is looking to find new backers, while FedEx bids farewell with a message of gratitude, cheering him on from the sidelines as he enters a new chapter.

That being said, do you have any predictions as to who will replace FedEx as Denny Hamlin’s main sponsor in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below.