With the NASCAR Cup Series reaching the second phase of its long 36-race schedule, the 2023 season has several underlying currents. And one such open-ended speculation is the NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin‘s 2024 season. Often criticized and lauded as the best driver to never win a title, Hamlin’s upcoming 2024 season should be deeply speculated given this is his final contract year with Joe Gibbs Racing, a team he stood by for the past 18 years.

Now, things are all the more complex than it seems. With the driver and his primary sponsor, Fed-Ex reaching their ends at the end of this season, the scene is almost set for a Kyle Busch-like scenario last year, when Rowdy switched bases from Toyota to Chevy this season, parting ways with JGR. But will the 42-year-old be the next to take that route?

Denny Hamlin’s JGR options revealed: A closer perspective

While the short answer might be a simple no, there are many tangents to the discussion. Unlike Busch who was in a precarious spot, unable to land a sponsor with Mars ending their NASCAR association in 2023, Hamlin has options. Will Joe Gibbs retain their star driver? Or will the 23XI Racing co-owner switch sides and race for his team in 2024?

Ever since 2005, Denny Hamlin has been a prominent face in JGR, it is here where Hamlin evolved into a competent racer with a record of 49 wins, 213 top-5 finishes, and 329 top-10 finishes. But with Hamlin and his sponsor concluding their contracts this season, the 42-year-old may choose to extend his clause in the proud Toyota camp.

And this is where both Hamlin’s and Busch’s scenarios differ. While Busch’s sponsor Mars was on its way out of the sport, prompting the JGR camp to find a fitting sponsor for the “bad boy,” Hamlin is all the more set. Moreover, Busch’s contract terms also gave the team a hard time negotiating whereas for Hamlin who is a proud Toyota team co-owner, JGR might look to extend the contract and retain his long-time sponsor, Fed-Ex. Another significant aspect is Hamlin’s wish to end his career in his original team, JGR.

Ahead of his 2023 season, according to NASCAR, Hamlin revealed his wish to finish his career at JGR. “I’ve always wanted to finish my career at (Joe Gibbs Racing) and I’m optimistic that will be the case.

“There will be a time where my attention will be more needed as a team owner than a driver, but it’s going to be on my terms and when I want it to happen and when I think it needs to happen.”

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While the driver has revealed his wish to stay beside the coach, Joe Gibbs has been rather quiet about the matter. Adding more skepticism is the driver’s contrary attitude to siding with his business partner, Michael Jordan, and driving one season for his own team 23XI Racing before retirement.

Will Hamlin side with his partner, MJ leaving JGR for a part-time role?

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Although the 42-year-old has opened up about his wish to end his career at JGR, a couple of months ago, the outspoken driver made another startling comment taking the community by surprise.

Fielding Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick is Hamlin and MJ’s proud Toyota-partnered 23XI Racing. Though fielding a third team might require lengthy negotiations with the Japanese manufacturer, that is still not out of the picture. Adding fuel to the fire is Hamlin’s open remarks to drive for his team for one season before his retirement.

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Taking all this into close consideration, it is highly unlikely for Hamlin to go with a part-time career on his own, given fielding another car would require additional agreements. But it is very much possible that the 42-year-old is certain to return to his long-time team and give it a go, given JGR’s exceptional track record of fielding champions.