
via Getty
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

via Getty
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin is one of the most experienced drivers in the Cup Series. The No. 11 Toyota Camry driver came into 2023 in his 18th full season with Joe Gibbs Racing, continuing his legacy as a stalwart of the game. Naturally, with time, he has attracted big names to stand behind him and has represented some iconic brands. Despite his tendencies to land himself in controversy, the 42-year-old has proved his skills behind the steering wheel time and time again, making him a valuable asset for Joe Gibbs and his sponsors.
Is FedEx still Denny Hamlin’s sponsor?
FedEx has been sustaining JGR as Denny Hamlin’s primary sponsor since 2005. The No.11 Toyota FedEx Camry has been synonymous with Hamlin since his debut in the top flight of stock car racing. However, the organization’s presence has recently been limited, and its future faces uncertainty. Since the Cup race in Nashville,
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Hamlin hasn’t been representing FedEx, being sponsored by Yahoo! in Chicago, and this could be the beginning of the end for an iconic partnership.
.@FedEx is close to striking a contract extension with @JoeGibbsRacing to continue sponsoring the team into the 2024 @NASCAR season, per people familiar.
🔲 The precise scope of the agreement is unclear, but FedEx is expected to retain a sizable presence on the No. 11 @Toyota. pic.twitter.com/88ZN1Jhfv9
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 3, 2023
Speculation about a renewal has been making the rounds for months now. However, nothing conclusive about it has been found yet. If the recent developments in their situation are anything to go by, the renewal might be far from feasible for FedEx, considering that they are used to endorsing Denny for more than 30 races a year, a number that has gone down drastically recently.
Being a NASCAR driver at JGR has its perks, as the abundance of sponsors meant there was no lack of options. The recent news suggests that FedEx could be on its way out, as the deal between them and Denny Hamlin is set to complete its duration at the end of 2023.
However, that also implies that the company has time until the end of this season to strike a deal with Hamlin’s team, which is also undecided. A contract renewal with the #11 team is the only way to go for this historic duo.
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Who are Denny Hamlin’s sponsors?
As per multiple reports, Denny Hamlin’s net worth is estimated at $65 million. This makes him a target for many big companies to invest their time and energy in him. To add to that, his ability to entertain the crowd has also worked wonders for him, roping in some popular players to his side.
Apart from FedEx, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and Nike are some of the more popular brands that support him. Sports apparel giant Nike has joined the entourage as a part of the Michael Jordan brand. Jordan is a co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Hamlin.
The stature of JGR in the sport has been influential in the team adding sponsors. Earlier this year, in July, it signed Mavis Tires & Brakes as the latest sponsor for Hamlin in a deal that covered five NASCAR Cup Series races, ranging from races in New Hampshire to Watkins Glen.
The first look at the new sponsors was let out by JGR’s official Twitter handle in a post that revealed Denny Hamlin’s paint scheme for the five races included in the deal. Team owner Joe Gibbs expressed his pleasure over the completion of the deal in an official statement as well.
He stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Mavis. It is an exciting time right now for Mavis as they continue to grow and expand their national footprint. We are looking forward to working with their team to build a successful program.”
🚨 New Look 👀
Mavis Tires & Brakes joins @dennyhamlin and JGR for five #NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning Sunday at @NHMS.
#NASCAR #racing pic.twitter.com/KOdnf2TAxn— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) July 11, 2023
Another deal that has gone under the radar is the endorsement deal with pharmaceutical company SHINGRIX, which was announced back in March. The company signed up to sponsor two of the team’s cars for multiple races in April and sponsored Hamlin in the #11 at Richmond and Atlanta.
The addition of another major player to Denny Hamlin’s sponsors has paid dividends for Gibbs, who is already looking for alternative options in case FedEx decides to part ways with the #11. A veteran driver who consistently finds himself in title challenges is a dream addition for any sponsor.
How much does Denny Hamlin make from his endorsements and sponsorships?
Hamlin earns about $17 million on a yearly basis, which is composed of three major sources of revenue: team salary, prize money, and endorsements. Denny Hamlin’s endorsement deals make him somewhere close to $3–3.5 million every year, sizing up a major chunk of his earnings.
The No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota is worth a contract worth $13.5 million in salary, which makes Hamlin one of the highest-paid drivers in the division.
✍️ “I have to have all the pieces of the puzzle put together before I can sign.”
🗣️ @dennyhamlin provided some context on his ongoing contract talks with @JoeGibbsRacing.
Plus, would @23XIRacing really switch manufactures next year? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CHc08Pp5bc
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) August 25, 2023
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While every detail about the contracts suggests that Denny Hamlin has been making a fortune from his endorsements and sponsorships, in recent news, his future at JGR might be in jeopardy. But unlike Kyle Busch’s situation last year, Joe Gibbs has a list of sponsors lined up for his driver.
However, in case Hamlin decides to make a switch, 23XI Racing will be the overwhelming favorite in the race for his signature.
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Watch This Story: Watch: When Michael Jordan Trolled His Own Driver Bubba Wallace
Being a driver-owner for the team will have its advantages. The presence of Michael Jordan as well as Denny Hamlin makes their team a huge opportunity for big-money deals. Some major names like Monster Energy and McDonald’s could also partner with Denny Hamlin if the deal goes through.
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