“I Don’t Wanna Just Kind of Trickle Off”: Denny Hamlin Unmasks Championship Urgency Amid Kevin Harvick’s Retirement Disaster

Denny Hamlin started his journey with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005, and now, in his 18th year with the team, their association boasts an impressive 50 race victories. This year, the #11 has consistently demonstrated its prowess, making Hamlin a strong contender for the championship. However, amidst the buzz of their on-track success, speculations have swirled regarding Hamlin’s future with JGR.

His contract with the team was set to conclude at the end of 2023, leading to rumors that he might transition to racing for his own team, 23XI Racing. Contrary to the rumors, the racing world received news of a multiyear contract extension between Hamlin and JGR. Yet, there’s a nagging issue that has been bothering the #11 driver, and he chose to share it after the Kansas qualifying session.

Denny Hamlin reveals the pressing concern that has been weighing on his mind

Denny Hamlin‘s teammate, Martin Truex Jr, serves as a prime example of this unpredictability in the world of NASCAR. Last year, he failed to secure a single victory, yet this season, he’s leading the standings and claimed the title of regular season champion with three wins. Meanwhile, SHR driver Kevin Harvick is facing a different scenario, struggling to notch a win in his last year of competition. Although he led the Fords throughout the season, victory has eluded him.

In his 40s, Denny Hamlin finds himself at a critical juncture in his racing career. During an interview with Bob Pockrass, he reflected on the passage of time and the importance of making the most of his remaining opportunities.

Hamlin said, “When you are younger in your 20s or low 30s, you have so much runway, where if you don’t get it this time, I’ll get it the next. I’ve been very, very fortunate in the financial planning that my team has put together – we never planned past 40 as far as income was concerned, so this is all me telling myself, how many more opportunities will I have?

“I want to compete at a high level in my final year. I don’t want to kind of trickle off. I’m way too competitive to do it. There is no way I could go to the race track not knowing that I could win.

“I understand there will be a day when things fall off. Things get slower for you. You will never know when that day will come, but now, that I’ve been doing it so long – it definitely puts some urgency in years like that, where I have all of the things,” Denny Hamlin concluded.

In fact, Hamlin recently revealed that there was one particular quality he wished for during his 20s and 30s, a quality that has become even more poignant as he nears the end of his racing career.

Watch Story: Denny Hamlin Swears Loyalty Elsewhere Amidst Contract Talks With Joe Gibbs

Denny Hamlin reveals a quality that he wishes he had earlier

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Denny Hamlin is renowned for his meticulous and unyielding approach to winning races. However, he acknowledges that victory can’t always be solely attributed to a driver’s performance, as mistakes and unforeseen incidents can play a role, as seen in the recent loose wheel incident.

Hamlin opened up about his emotions in such situations. He admitted, “I would say it’s natural to get a little more emotional when those situations come about because like last week. (…) Last week marked our 59th race-winning capability weekend. We haven’t won nearly that many – 59 times. That is a lot since 2019.”

He expressed a wish that he had possessed in his 20s and 30s—the same discipline and work ethic that he does now, underscoring the evolution of his approach to the sport over the years.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin Confirms Allegiance With $65 Billion Sponsor Despite Not Having a Seat for Next Year